Incest

Relations Between Family Members

Incest refers to sexual relations between family members. The extent of which family members would fall under the category of "incest" depends upon the society or culture in question.

In the United States, there are two degrees of incest. The first deals with sexual relations between blood relatives and is considered a felony. Sexual relations between distant relatives such as first cousins is typically treated as a misdemeanor. In most states, marriage or sexual relations with a family member more distant than a first cousin is not considered incestuous.

IIn France, incest between a parent and a child is punishable under child abuse laws but incest between consenting adults is legal. Sweden allows siblings to marry while Poland defines incest as sexual relations with any ancestor, descendant, sibling, guardian or ward and carries a punishment of up to 5 years in prison.

Incest involving minors also triggers child abuse laws in addition to any punishments for the incestuous relationship itself. Child sexual abuse is a serious crime in all 50 states and carries heavy penalties.

It is also possible to have an legally defined incestuous relationship with a child without actually having sexual intercourse. Known as "covert incest", the relationship between the adult and child is often heavy with sexual inuendo. In this type of incest, the adult might make sexual comments to the child, be overly affectionate and even become jealous of the child's friends and interactions outside of the adult-child relationship.

Covert incest is often referred to as emotional incest since it can cause severe psychological problems in the child. While there is not specific legislation targeted to covert incest, it could be prosecuted under the general heading of child abuse.