Sex is an innate desire in the animal kingdom. Birds, all kinds of animals and of course humans have done it since the beginning of time. This is a very intimate part of life and mostly, people keep it behind closed doors. There are fetishes and kinks too – different from vanilla sex. The definitions of vanilla sex and kink are also not black and white, but more flexible these days. Incest sex or incestuous actions and thoughts are taboo with most, but what is it and why do people indulge in it?
Incest Sex – what is it?
The word is incest, not incest sex really. Incest means sexual relations between those who are closely related – biologically. Some people do it as a fetish and some just get attracted naturally and even watch sextapes during their sex sessions. Parents, children, siblings and grandparents come under close relations and in some cultures direct aunts and uncles also qualify under the “closely related” umbrella. Basically, any blood relatives or those who are of the same lineage or clan, having sex would mean incest. In some societies, it is illegal and taboo. In other cultures, third-degree relatives like first cousins, half aunts are considered acceptable as partners in sexual relations. Many countries have allowed first and second cousins to marry and become spouses legally.
However, in most countries – almost universally, incest between direct relatives is not looked upon favorable. Consenting adults may have sexual relations with each other, even if it is illegal, but then it becomes a victimless crime.
Why is it illegal or watched over by the government?
Most countries have criminalized incest due to a high probability of genetic defects in the children born out of these sexual relations. However, here are some countries and cultures that allow some relatives to come together in a legal union.
Netherlands – Marrying one’s niece or nephew is legal but with the permission of the government. This is because the offspring may have genetic defects.
Florida, USA – In Florida, sexual intercourse with uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces attracts a 3rd degree felony. But if the uncle or aunt is a half uncle, half aunt then the laws vary by state.
UK – In the UK, incest includes – sex with grandparent, sibling, parent or child. It recently included sex with half-uncles, siblings, nephews, aunts and nieces.
Canada – Marriage between aunts, nephews, uncles and nieces is legal.
Middle East – Marriages between first and second cousins account for 50% of the unions. Some communities prefer marriages within relatives as they believe they are keeping the line of descent pure and ensure that patrimony doesn’t pass off into the hands of outsiders.
Needless to say, that although incest or sexual relations between consenting adults is their private matter. But it is important to understand why some countries and cultures prohibit it. In ancient cultures, marrying relatives was common and a lot of royals were born with defects. A popular royal line in Spain had a long line of children who were born with deformities. Such children go through a lot of pain and agony in their lives and can also be an additional cost to the state. Parents that do have such children, often come from lower income backgrounds and depend on the state for medical help. It is always an ethical question – adults who are having sex and are related, produce children who will always be dependent and lead painful lives. Do they still have the right to come together and reproduce? Isn’t it that they are taking that child’s life for granted for their pleasure? These are hard questions and the debate between privacy and incest continues to rage on.