Human Sexuality Relations And Morality: Incest

Student’s Name Professor’s Name Course Date of Submission Human Sexuality: Incest Introduction Morality is often based on the views of a person especially when it comes to matters of love and sex. One area that has elicited a lot of debate and controversy is the topic of incest. Incest is often described as having sexual relations with an individual with one’s immediate family members such as siblings or first-second cousins. However, the exact relations that are viewed as incest differ from one culture to another. Different countries or cultures have laws that forbid or permit incest based on their interpretation of this concept. In this way, I have chosen the topic of incest as the focus for my research to increase my knowledge and understanding of how this topic is viewed especially in the modern society. I have not had an opportunity to really study the topic of incest and this is an opportunity to learn the different views on the issue of incest. There are people within the modern society that view incest as something that should be accepted and others believe it is wrong. Understanding the reasoning behind these views is essential in helping have a greater understanding of this topic and helping form personal opinions. I would want to examine the issue of incest based on various sides such as morality. Ideally, people have different views of how the issue of incest can be viewed from a moral perspective. Do social norms of morality have a say in determining the legality of incest? Further, it is also important to understanding how the topic of incest can be understood from a scientific position. The existence of scientific evidence on this issue helps create more awareness and understanding of the topic. For example, many theories exist on how incest can result in deformed children. Further, I would also want to explore how the topic of incest is viewed from the general public. This is in regards to issues such as adults who consent to an incestuous relationship and if they have a right to carry out such relationships. One question that came to my mind about this topic is whether incest should be legal or illegal. I also asked myself that if a couple have genuine love between them, should incest prevent them from enjoying such a love? I always wonder if it is right to condemn an individual who is found in an incestuous relationship and if there is something in modern society that can alleviate such condemnation. In this way, I want to research these views and gain more understanding of this topic. Current Research One prevailing viewpoint about incest is that it is unnatural. According to Horwitz (27), sexual relationships between relatives are largely a taboo in most cultures both in the present and even in many of the past societies. Ideally, many believe that the concept of incest undermines the fundamental values, as well as morals in society. For example, the integrity of the institution of the family, the security of children in a family, and risk of abuse of power/relationships within the family institution is compromised. In this way, incest is viewed as immoral and goes against the sustainability of a family unit. Horwitz (27) says that incest is unnatural act and that is why it is viewed with disgust almost universally by everyone. For instance, the idea of a person having sex with their mother or father or sibling is repelled by most people because it is considered abnormal. This is behavior that goes against human nature and so it is believed to be morally and legally wrong in many societies. To counter the argument of unnatural act, there are those who argue that as long as a couple is an adult and consenting, there is nothing wrong with it. In this case, incest is accepted on the basis that these are mature individuals who know what they are doing and so they have a right like any other individual to enjoy their love (Molly). For example, in cases such as homosexuality or heterosexual relationships they are accepted to the society because what people do in private is their business and so it also applies to incest. Further, in regards to incest causing destruction of the integrity of the family, others argue that consenting adults are people who are making sound decisions for their families. This is because these are not children who are being abused but rather adults who have agreed to enjoy their love and sexual relations. To strengthen this argument, it is indicated that if a father engages in sex with a daughter who is underage, the individual is charged of rape in most jurisdictions as opposed to incest (Molly). In this case, incest is not the crime but the act of having sex with a minor is what is viewed as rape or criminal act. This argument supports incest among consenting adults as something that should be accepted just like other relationships amongst couples. Another argument that opposes incest relates to inbreeding that causes deformity in chi...