The ick factor aside, what is intrinsically wrong with it?

[Skwim]

The "it" being incest between two consenting adults.

SEATTLE - A Kirkland woman accused of having sex with an adult son she had given up for adoption as a baby has been charged with incest.

The Seattle Times reports the charge was filed earlier this month against the 54-year-old woman in King County Superior Court.

The 33-year-old man told a sheriff’s detective in May that he had had a two-year sexual relationship with the woman beginning in 2004 after he tracked her down through an adoption agency.

The woman was briefly jailed on Tuesday then released. If convicted she could face a year in prison and be required to register as a sex offender.

source

​

And why was he evidently not charged?

 

[Engyo]

In general, procreation through incest is known to cause higher incidents of birth defects and genetically transferred problems, presumably through reinforcing recessive traits of shared genetic ancestry.

 

[Skwim]

In general, procreation through incest is known to cause higher incidents of birth defects and genetically transferred problems, presumably through reinforcing recessive traits of shared genetic ancestry.

Agreed, but I've never seen that given as a basis for the law against incest. And if this is a practicable factor, why isn't an exception made for those incestuous interactions that cannot produce offspring? It's as likely as not* that a woman of 52 (age at which the relationship began) has entered menopause, and lacking any reference in the article as to her reproductive capabilities it doesn't appear to be a factor in bringing charges against her.

*"For most women, natural menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age of onset being 51.4 years of age. In rare instances, menopause can occur as early as the 30's or as late as the 60's."
source
​

 

[Daniel09]

I've honestly not been able to find anything really logically wrong with it. Even the genetic factor can be overcome when procreating by going to a few sessions of something called "genetic counseling." Doctors will examine your genes and let you know if you have recessive ones that would deform your child. If you don't, then it can be completely fine. Also, as it is, don't thousands and thousands of people constantly create deformed children with recessive defects and otherwise in normal relationships?

 

[Venatoris]

My personal opinion about incest aside, I don't see how it hurts anyone.

 

[Skwim]

My personal opinion about incest aside, I don't see how it hurts anyone.

From what I see, no more so than what befalls those in non-incentuous sexual relationships.

 

[Duck]

The "it" being incest between two consenting adults.

SEATTLE - A Kirkland woman accused of having sex with an adult son she had given up for adoption as a baby has been charged with incest.

The Seattle Times reports the charge was filed earlier this month against the 54-year-old woman in King County Superior Court.

The 33-year-old man told a sheriff’s detective in May that he had had a two-year sexual relationship with the woman beginning in 2004 after he tracked her down through an adoption agency.

The woman was briefly jailed on Tuesday then released. If convicted she could face a year in prison and be required to register as a sex offender.

source

​

And why was he evidently not charged?

I am thinking he wasn't charged because he was the "child". Or because no matter how 'modern' American society has become, really, there is a serious objection to the idea that older women have sexual appetites.

Personally, I have some ick regarding incest (my relatives...ewww). However, my larger objection is due to consent issues. I think that relations between a parent-child, aunt/uncle-nephew/niece, grandparent-grandchild, etc., will very likely be on the edge of non-consent due to the usual power-dynamics that exist within a family dynamic. Don't get me wrong, I am all for power-exchange relationships if that is your kink (I have leanings that way myself), but I question how consensual the relationship can be when there exists prior to, and outside of the relationship a power-differential such as that found in an adult-child relationship.

I am not saying that it can't be completely consensual, but in my mind questions would exist. In the case of the OP, I don't think that the power-dynamic issue would exist (most likely) due to the circumstances involved (he was raised by someone else) and due to the fact that he sought her out (granted probably not for a sexual relationship) when he was in his 30's. Technically, yes it was an incestuous relationship, however, I think that the spirit of the law wasn't violated because of several reasons: 1) he was given up for adoption as an infant, 2) he was raised by someone else and presumably had no contact growing up with his biologic mother (article specfically mentioned he went looking for her), 3) he was an adult when the relationship began, and 4) as a 54 year old woman she is presumably post-menopausal and therefore unable to bear children (one of the bigger reasons for incest laws -- no genetically problematic children due to in-breeding).

 

[angellous_evangellous]

If it's not abuse, it should not be a crime.

 

[Magic Man]

From what I see, no more so than what befalls those in non-incentuous sexual relationships.

It depends on the situation. No, generally there is nothing wrong with two consenting adults having sex. But sometimes in incestuous relationships, like a parent and child, the influence the parent has can be a problem. There are studies about the mental health (or lack thereof) of incestuous couples. Incestuous relationships can have a negative psychological effect on the participants and vice versa.

EDIT: But that's tougher with the couple in the OP, since it seems they didn't even meet until they were adults. In any case, it should not be illegal, as long as they're both adults, of course.

 

[Skwim]

It depends on the situation. No, generally there is nothing wrong with two consenting adults having sex. But sometimes in incestuous relationships, like a parent and child, the influence the parent has can be a problem. There are studies about the mental health (or lack thereof) of incestuous couples. Incestuous relationships can have a negative psychological effect on the participants and vice versa.

While control can be an issue where one of the two is significantly younger than the other or where a previous dominant relationship existed, as in parent-child interactions; however, I've never seen this cited as the reason for establishing incest laws. Moreover, control relationships exist in many non-incestuous sexual relationships, and are never accorded the onus of incestuous ones.

 

[Smoke]

I think it's creepy as hell, but it's ridiculous to prosecute people just for being creepy as hell.

 

[LuisDantas]

While control can be an issue where one of the two is significantly younger than the other or where a previous dominant relationship existed, as in parent-child interactions; however, I've never seen this cited as the reason for establishing incest laws. Moreover, control relationships exist in many non-incestuous sexual relationships, and are never accorded the onus of incestuous ones.

Duck basically said it all. I don't have a problem with the OP's situation myself, at least if the woman (or for that matter, the man) is infertile.

But I want to comment on your observation. It is true that unhealthy control issues exist elsewhere and aren't really persecuted. I believe that is so because incest can be proven by objective criteria, while more general control issues may be difficult to prove or even to detect. There are attempts to curtail them in specific cases, such as boss-employee relations, or of course paedophilia.

I wonder if we won't someday develop protocols for devirginization for this very reason. Not for a while, I guess...

 

[Duck]

Duck basically said it all. I don't have a problem with the OP's situation myself, at least if the woman (or for that matter, the man) is infertile.

But I want to comment on your observation. It is true that unhealthy control issues exist elsewhere and aren't really persecuted. I believe that is so because incest can be proven by objective criteria, while more general control issues may be difficult to prove or even to detect. There are attempts to curtail them in specific cases, such as boss-employee relations, or of course paedophilia.

I wonder if we won't someday develop protocols for devirginization for this very reason. Not for a while, I guess...

Have you seen the (totally off topic) auction being conducted in Australia I think? Someone has set up an auction for youths (over 21, I believe) to auction their virginity to the highest bidder. The de-flowering will take place at one of the brothels in Nevada.

 

[LuisDantas]

I didn't know about that. On a gut level, it bothers me.

 

[Midnight Pete]

My personal opinion about incest aside, I don't see how it hurts anyone.

You don't see how a fatther having sex with his own daughter hurts anyone?

 

[Venatoris]

You don't see how a fatther having sex with his own daughter hurts anyone?

That isn't the situation presented in the OP. Even still, in your scenario, if it is consensual, I can't see the harm. If you want to have three-eyed, twelve-limbed babies, power to ya. And that's without taking birth control into account. If it is consensual, it is none of my business. For the record, I oppose incestuous relationships for a completely different reason which I posted in the sibling relationship thread.

 

[Midnight Pete]

The ick factor is there for a reason. It's a canary in the mineshaft.

 

[Venatoris]

The ick factor is there for a reason. It's a canary in the mineshaft.

Care to elaborate? The Ick factor only exists because we put it there.

 

[DallasApple]

Im on the side if two fully grown adults decide that they want to be together....I couldnt sleep with my childrens friends and they are adults...I cant imagine sleeping with my own child..But I suppose thats not my business..Maybe we don't know everything..

I certainly dont think they should go to jail..Thats not where they belong..

Love

Dallas