You discover your children are attracted to each other...

[GamerAddict7796]

I would take them to a therapist to try and work out what was wrong. That is not healthy. Regardless of sexual preference, as they're gay/bi, incest should not be allowed as it could be the result of trauma, abuse or serious mental issues. I'm normally accepting of anyone being with a consenting anything but this is just wrong.

Sorry if anyone is offended.

 

[norashepard]

I would probably support them if they were serious. My only problem would be that they're high-school age and probably don't know if they really would want to spend the rest of their life together. If these kids were adults, though, I'd have NO reservations. Hell, even if they were of the opposite sex, I wouldn't have any problems.

I would make sure to tell them that they should approach the subject with caution though, because the kind of relationship you have with your sibling cannot be easily replaced, if at all, and romantic relationships tend to, you know, not work out, so that sibling relationship would also be on the line.

 

[barbzilla]

First thing: if your kids have been raised normally, it's pretty much impossible for them to be attracted to each other. If my kids turned out being attracted to each other, I would be in shock because I'd wonder what kind of trauma made them turn out like that. And I would definitely not allow them to do that. Incest is bad in any possible form, even if it's consensual (although consensual incest between psychologically healthy individuals is something you see only in fiction).


Although, from a fictional point of view? I do appreciate some incest subplot between characters. It's kinky and makes for a nice narrative too.

I disagree, I assume when you say it's impossible that you're referring to the Westermarck effect hypothesis, which even if it is correct just makes an attraction unlikely, not impossible. For example, in a study of Israeli children reared together in groups, 14 out of 3000 children ended up marrying someone they were reared with, making such pairings unusual but still significant. Human sexuality is complicated after-all and doesn't always fit into neat little boxes, 'psychologically healthy' is a subjective label which no doubt many would deny anyone involved in an incestuous relationship by default, their actual mindset notwithstanding.

OT: As long as both are consenting, I'm not one to tell people who they can and cannot love. But yeah, it would weird me out no doubt, I have my share of odd sexual quirks but incest isn't one of them >.>

Don't forget that a good portion of a child's psychological development is environmental, and what is normal and acceptable in one culture, may not be in another. There are still some cultures that accept incest as a "normal" (I use quotations, because normalcy...), and it wouldn't be outrageous for two children to develop intimate feelings for one another in that situation.

We could also move on with the isolation pathway leading to semi-healthy sexual activity between siblings, but there are too many discrepancies with the theories on developmental disabilities and deficiencies. But the basic premise stands and reinforces the fact that psychology is the new religion where we decide what is morally acceptable or normal in society by the way of declarations of mental health.

Bottom line is this, the human mind is capable of some absolutely amazing things, and has lead to some very interesting subsets in cultures. So, just take a step back and think about the possible development of that psyche before deciding it is an aberration (note: I realize that it wasn't you who said it, but you had brought up points that I wanted to touch on as well, so I just quoted your text containing the previous text to whom that comment applies).

Edit: I almost forgot!
OP: I can't say for sure as a parent how I would feel about it. I know that I wouldn't have raised them in a way consistent with that behavior, and that may lead to some questions. Plus, I'd have a whole slew of my own emotional issues to work out about that before I'd even dream of giving advice to them one way or the other. I would try to take a balanced approach to it though, and try to understand it from their side.

 

[Someone Depressing]

Watch from a distance.

I think incest isn't wrong, as much as it's likely to completely destroy family bonds.

If they do end up taking the interest further, then fuck that. Anyone here who lives in Britain probably read that article a few weeks ago that was in the news, about a mother and son humping for bunnies for at least a few years.

I was disgusted.

I suppose that's what set my view on incest; it's a sexuality, but one that should't be explored.

Really, the thing that makes incest so wrong is that, biologically, the brain is hardwired not to become attracted to people growing up, or very close friends/aquaintances, entirely avoid this situation. In other words, anyone who has incestual sex, has a screw missing, by definition. I suppose that's what makes it so disgusting to pretty much 90% of all society.

 

[TristanBelmont]

Force them to be the main characters in my disgusting new incest manga.

So, to discourage them from doing anything, write weird fanfiction about your kids. I can get behind this.

 

[Segul17]

It's still wrong. I honestly don't see why it would happen though, humans tend to be incapable of sexual attraction towards those which we've known before the age of 8, a psychological mechanism that exists for just this reason.

But there're multiple cases of it happening, so you can't just say it outright can't happen. Also can you explain to me why "It's still wrong.", no one is harmed, so what's wrong with it?

 

[Teh_Moose]

I would tell them to not do anything with it until they are adults to see if they feel that way later on. If they do, it will no longer be my business so they will be free to pursue it

 

[Arqus_Zed]

Buy camera
Record incest sex
Sell said sex tape
Profit

In all seriousness... I don't know, I guess this would be one of those cases where I would come down with a case of extreme denial. Like, they could be having sex right in front of me and I'd go: "They're hugging, just hugging, that's what good siblings do, right? RIGHT?!"

 

[Teh_Moose]

Anyone here who lives in Britain probably read that article a few weeks ago that was in the news, about a mother and son humping for bunnies for at least a few years.

which article was that?

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

As for what genetic issues would be produced, I think I need filling in on that.

Well the reason behind genetic issues in inbred children is from the stacking of similar genetic defects.

If two perfect (And i mean PERFECT, all alleles perfectly functional and working, no errors, no mutations, no defunct genes) individuals inbred and were related they could hypothetically do so forever with no inborn errors. Healthy as far as the eye can see.

However humans are extremely genetically messy. Our genome is disgusting and wasteful and FULL of crap that does nothing or is broken. Each individual has a lot of stuff that doesnt work from their mother and their father, fortunately in the VAST majority of situations you will have one functional chromosome from one parent to make up for the broken one from the other parent. Or perhaps only one of the 40 genes that codes for a specific thing is broken and the other 39 pick up the slack. The point is in unrelated individuals both have messy genomes with some errors, but two strangers will likely compensate for eachothers minor errors.

Now the reason genetic defects occur when incest is practiced (particularly multiple times) is because youre extremely likely to have a similar "genetic mess" as your siblings and cousins. Whatever faults lie in your genome are likely to lie in theirs as well. So when you breed with them those faults combine and theres no copy of a healthy gene in the mix to mask the defective one.

With cousins the odds of having a defective child increase by 2% (flat value, from 2% in normal couples to 4% in cousin cousin). With siblings the odds are 25% flat out. However if you are fortunate enough to have a very stable or "neat" genome the odds will be far less likely. But thats something you just cant know. A large amount of your genes could be defunct but as long as you had one copy youd appear healthy and normal. You could be a genetic Adonis/Aphrodite and have the chance very low.

The reason this chance increases as you repeat generations is the errors stack together. Lets say about 34 out of 40 of your genes work for a certain feature (Like cornea shape) and only 32 of your siblings work. Your kids might end up with 28 working. If you do so again they might end up with 20 working. This is when it might start to show and the child will be deformed. Cousin incest has INCREDIBLY low chance of causing a genetic defect. Hell due to my TERRIBLE genes for eyesight im basically 100% likely to create a child with an abnormal cornea and they will need glasses like a lot of people now-a-days do. Its an interesting line between "acceptable genetic error" and "unacceptable genetic error".

I always try and dump the biology into these threads. A lot of misconceptions about how it works.

OT: I figure if two Haemophilia carriers can do the do with a 25% chance of creating a haemophilic baby and be legal I see no reason to forbid incest. Sure ill discourage it if theres chance a child could suffer down the line but if its unethical to forbid someone who is 100% likely to create children with a genetic disease (Like Y linked diseases) the same logic might apply.

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

*Sigh*..... Well, it's been quite a while since incest threads lost their trend here on the Escapist, sexism in gaming seemed to take its place as the hot topic that won't just go away. But alas, all good things must come to an end it seems. Back to regular business on the Escapist.

So. Incest.

Short answer: No. Long answer: No and no.

 

[LetalisK]

I've never understood the big whup about incest.

Because it makes us feel uncomfortable and anything that makes us feel uncomfortable must be wrong. You know, like seeing two gay guys kissing or seeing a white woman and a black man holding hands. A white woman and a black woman making out is totally cool, though. As long they're hot.

Sure, inbreeding has negative effects on children

...typically after generations of systemic inbreeding. I mean, it can happen in the first generation, but the idea that two relatives doing the bunny hop equals a baby with Down's Syndrome as if it's a mathematical certainty is a hyped up myth distorting the truth. Not to mention the idea that merely the chance of a genetic disability should make it wrong for someone to procreate is hypocritical and disgusting. How much do you want to bet the people that use it wouldn't touch that same argument with a ten foot pole if we were talking about two unrelated lovers where one had a hereditary genetic disease because they'd be called fascists?

OT: I would suspect that something untowards happened in their rearing along the way and want to know what it was so as to address that, but ultimately there is no going back and me ostracizing them or trying to force them not to will just cause more damage over something completely petty.

 

[Fleaman]

As long as there's no weird dependency or abuse thing going on, it's fine by me. If they're happy, I'm happy.

I'd probably still want to NSA their e-mails and IM conversations though. It's good to be careful.

 

[FoolKiller]

It's still wrong. I honestly don't see why it would happen though, humans tend to be incapable of sexual attraction towards those which we've known before the age of 8, a psychological mechanism that exists for just this reason.

That's just plain nonsense.

And only society tells us its wrong. I'd be fine with it as long as they treat each other well.

 

[Brutal Peanut]

In all honesty, I'd probably not be able to hide my disgust and want for them to not experiment or be in a romantic/sexual relationship with each other. If they moved out and decided to carry on outside of the house, I can't stop them, but I don't think it's something I could support unconditionally. I could see myself losing contact with them, simply because it would be hard to see eye-to-eye and get over the fact that the two children I carried and raised are now pleasuring each other sexually in a romantic relationship. Perhaps if the situation really occurred, I might find I feel differently, but that this point in time I can't say it's something I'd support.

 

[Barbas]

Spoiler: Snip.

As for what genetic issues would be produced, I think I need filling in on that.

Well the reason behind genetic issues in inbred children is from the stacking of similar genetic defects.

If two perfect (And i mean PERFECT, all alleles perfectly functional and working, no errors, no mutations, no defunct genes) individuals inbred and were related they could hypothetically do so forever with no inborn errors. Healthy as far as the eye can see.

However humans are extremely genetically messy. Our genome is disgusting and wasteful and FULL of crap that does nothing or is broken. Each individual has a lot of stuff that doesnt work from their mother and their father, fortunately in the VAST majority of situations you will have one functional chromosome from one parent to make up for the broken one from the other parent. Or perhaps only one of the 40 genes that codes for a specific thing is broken and the other 39 pick up the slack. The point is in unrelated individuals both have messy genomes with some errors, but two strangers will likely compensate for eachothers minor errors.

Now the reason genetic defects occur when incest is practiced (particularly multiple times) is because youre extremely likely to have a similar "genetic mess" as your siblings and cousins. Whatever faults lie in your genome are likely to lie in theirs as well. So when you breed with them those faults combine and theres no copy of a healthy gene in the mix to mask the defective one.

With cousins the odds of having a defective child increase by 2% (flat value, from 2% in normal couples to 4% in cousin cousin). With siblings the odds are 25% flat out. However if you are fortunate enough to have a very stable or "neat" genome the odds will be far less likely. But thats something you just cant know. A large amount of your genes could be defunct but as long as you had one copy youd appear healthy and normal. You could be a genetic Adonis/Aphrodite and have the chance very low.

The reason this chance increases as you repeat generations is the errors stack together. Lets say about 34 out of 40 of your genes work for a certain feature (Like cornea shape) and only 32 of your siblings work. Your kids might end up with 28 working. If you do so again they might end up with 20 working. This is when it might start to show and the child will be deformed. Cousin incest has INCREDIBLY low chance of causing a genetic defect. Hell due to my TERRIBLE genes for eyesight im basically 100% likely to create a child with an abnormal cornea and they will need glasses like a lot of people now-a-days do. Its an interesting line between "acceptable genetic error" and "unacceptable genetic error".

I always try and dump the biology into these threads. A lot of misconceptions about how it works.

OT: I figure if two Haemophilia carriers can do the do with a 25% chance of creating a haemophilic baby and be legal I see no reason to forbid incest. Sure ill discourage it if theres chance a child could suffer down the line but if its unethical to forbid someone who is 100% likely to create children with a genetic disease (Like Y linked diseases) the same logic might apply.

Ah, I see. Interesting information, thank you. I suppose the reason I'd oppose it is that if such a relationship failed, the consequences could potentially be much worse. It may even divide a household. Besides which, it is better to travel and meet different people.

 

[Jusey1]

Because it makes us feel uncomfortable and anything that makes us feel uncomfortable must be wrong. You know, like seeing two gay guys kissing or seeing a white woman and a black man holding hands. A white woman and a black woman making out is totally cool, though. As long they're hot.

1stly, I agree that Incest is wrong due to the biology of it (Which some people already explained earlier).

Secondly, I strongly DISAGREE with the quote "Because it makes us feel uncomfortable and anything that makes us feel uncomfortable must be wrong." Because that is not right... A lot of things make me uncomfortable but that doesn't mean they are wrong... Just that my opinion is I don't like them.

What makes something wrong if it has a negative impact on another living creature outside of the people who are doing it. (FYI: Incest has a negative impact on the possible children that could be born from it).

A white woman and a black man holding hands is NOT wrong cause it has no negative impact on other beings... You are uncomfortable cause you don't like it! Same thing with two gay guys kissing... It has no negative impact on other beings so therefore it is NOT wrong, you just don't like it.