why is incest illegal in nearly all communities?

Answer 1

The ovewhelming majority of instances of incest within the immediate family involve non consent of at least one party. It usually begins in childhood for the non consenting person, and in rare instances where it continues into adulthood it almost certainly has its roots in chilhood sexual abuse.

Incest's definition varies from community. In some areas of the country and world define it broadly to include cousins and second cousins, but as a rule when the word incest is used it refers to the immediate family (parent child, or siblings).

Genetic disorders also play a factor in laws.

Answer 2

Well from what Ive seen in life Incest is only Taboo to talk about, it is so common and if people were to be honest you would see a different picture. Type incest into a search engine and see how many hits you get. Personally i think its hot. Have been with two cousins in the past, plus always wished I had an older brother.I know this wont make very popular but I'm just being honest. One more thing i believe Sweden has done away with not marrying first cousins law. Furthermore i believe that the genetic deformities story was b%ll Sh*t just to keep people from doing it,(scare tactic) Just like they used to say about smoking weed you will flip out and go crazy. Just another way to control the masses

Answer 3

I believe that incest laws started as an attempt to stop (or reduce) in-breeding. Inbreeding can be dangerous if bad gene groups are reinforced.

There is also a strong social taboo against incest in many cultures. It's odd that some of the cultures with the strongest taboos are also cultures in which the leaders (usually royalty) practiced incest in order to prolong the bloodline.

As noted in the Wikipedia article on incest, some municipalities define incest in such a way as to prevent reproduction rather than curtailing sexual activity.

Answer 4

That will be western culture only. Not due to the bible (because they marry their relatives - Abraham married his half-sister and he is the father of the faith! Isaac and Jacob married relatives too.. No laws on that), this is mostly due to genes. They think mixing genes with "further" DNA versions produces better offspring than when you mix "similar" ones. This must be due to the hemophilia case of the royal family of England during Queen Victoria's time. I think there is a grain of truth to this because if you have a cancer history in your family and you marry your relative with that same history, well good luck to your offspring.

Answer 5

I am assuming you are talking about Legal adults?
The reason in most communities (beside the social taboo) are issues of severe problems(mental/physical deformities especially if it is increased with a multi generational reinforcement of incestuous relationships) with a child should a pregnancy result.

Answer 6

Because it should be everywhere, incest is having sex with one of your family members, and they mostly pick on young children. How can you ask that question? We are not in the backwards country where cousins marry cousins, and fathers father the children of their daughters, that is insane.

Answer 7

With inbreeding there a higher chance that harmful hereditary deceases will get passed down to offspring (ex. diabetes, cancer, heart decease). These laws are put in place to protect and ensure a healthier community, generations down the line.

Answer 8

It's a major taboo in societies because it's scientifically proven that incest causes hereditary defects.

Answer 9

THIS is not the "ALL THINGS SEXUAL IN NATURE" catagory.

Since your question is LEGAL related, I suggest the Law & Ethics catagory.

Good luck.

Answer 10

Ask your mom/girlfriend