- Joined
- Mar 4, 2020
In almost every country around the world, sexual relations and marriage between close family members is illegal. It's one of the closest things in the world to a culturally universal taboo, if the precise boundaries of the taboo may vary. Despite this, there remains no rational basis for this taboo translating into criminal prohibition.
I submit that incest between opposite-sex close family members shouldn't be illegal. It should never be illegal for two heterosexuals who are above the age of consent to share their love with each other. They should have the same rights as anyone else; the right to have sex, get married, and even have children. If, for example, a young man and his attractive mother fall in love and choose to express their love physically, they should be allowed to do so.
There are a few common objections to consensual, heterosexual incest that I'd like to address.
1) It's abusive!
When we talk about the idea of legalizing incest, we are talking strictly about consensual relationships between heterosexuals who are above the age of consent. I think we can all agree that anyone who abuses minors or who commits any act of rape should be put to death.
2) It produces genetic defects!
It's true, persons who reproduce with members of their own family are much likelier to produce offspring with genetic defects and deformities, potentially serious and/or fatal. However, this is not a reason to prohibit consensual incest in itself. There are many people with a variety of disorders or conditions that are highly debilitating and who are highly likely to pass those on to their offspring, especially if both partners have the same disorder or condition. We don't prohibit them from engaging in consensual, sexual relationships, or even to have children. Therefore, this can't be a reason to prohibit incest.
3) It's gross!
This is never a reason in itself to criminalize certain conduct. There are a large range of sexual relations or behaviors that many find disgusting or abhorrent that aren't illegal. Many people find age gap relationships disgusting, for example a relationship between a 18 year old guy and a 36 year old white woman who learned to speak fluent Spanish while living in Mexico and then came back to Canada to become his high school Spanish teacher. Yet, this is not illegal, not where I live, so long as he's at least 18. Not everyone has the same preferences. This is inevitable.
I look forward to hearing your views on the subject.
I submit that incest between opposite-sex close family members shouldn't be illegal. It should never be illegal for two heterosexuals who are above the age of consent to share their love with each other. They should have the same rights as anyone else; the right to have sex, get married, and even have children. If, for example, a young man and his attractive mother fall in love and choose to express their love physically, they should be allowed to do so.
There are a few common objections to consensual, heterosexual incest that I'd like to address.
1) It's abusive!
When we talk about the idea of legalizing incest, we are talking strictly about consensual relationships between heterosexuals who are above the age of consent. I think we can all agree that anyone who abuses minors or who commits any act of rape should be put to death.
2) It produces genetic defects!
It's true, persons who reproduce with members of their own family are much likelier to produce offspring with genetic defects and deformities, potentially serious and/or fatal. However, this is not a reason to prohibit consensual incest in itself. There are many people with a variety of disorders or conditions that are highly debilitating and who are highly likely to pass those on to their offspring, especially if both partners have the same disorder or condition. We don't prohibit them from engaging in consensual, sexual relationships, or even to have children. Therefore, this can't be a reason to prohibit incest.
3) It's gross!
This is never a reason in itself to criminalize certain conduct. There are a large range of sexual relations or behaviors that many find disgusting or abhorrent that aren't illegal. Many people find age gap relationships disgusting, for example a relationship between a 18 year old guy and a 36 year old white woman who learned to speak fluent Spanish while living in Mexico and then came back to Canada to become his high school Spanish teacher. Yet, this is not illegal, not where I live, so long as he's at least 18. Not everyone has the same preferences. This is inevitable.
I look forward to hearing your views on the subject.
