NCJ Number
60444
Journal
American Journal of Diseases of Children Volume: 133 Dated: (APRIL 1979) Pages: 406-410
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
TRADITIONALLY INCEST HAS BEEN SEEN AS THE AGGRESSIVE ACT OF A DERANGED ADULT, REGARDLESS OF FAMILY DYNAMICS BEHIND THE OVERT ACT. A MORE REALISTIC CONCEPT WILL LEAD TO MORE USEFUL THERAPEUTIC INVERVENTIONS.
Abstract
THE VICTIM-PERPETRATOR MODEL IS FAR TOO SIMPLISTIC FOR THE COMPLEX AND DISTORTED INTRAFAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS SEEN IN MANY CASES OF INCEST. FURTHERMORE, THE VICTIM-PERPETRATOR MODEL FREQUENTLY LEADS TO DESTRUCTIVE RATHER THAN CONSTRUCTIVE INTERVENTIONS AND TO FURTHER VICTIMIZATION OF THE CHILD BY WELL-INTENTIONED LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE PERSONNEL. IN SOME CASES THE CHILD IS MERELY THE UNFORTUNATE VICTIM OF A DERANGED ADULT, BUT THESE ARE NOT THE MORE COMMONLY STUDIED TYPES OF INCEST. THE TWO BASIC TYPES OF INCESTUOUS FAMILIES ARE THE 'PROMISCUOUS,' WHICH ARE SO DISORGANIZED THAT THE INCEST SEEMS BUT AN ALMOST MINOR PART OF A SITUATION THAT IS CHAOTIC AND UNPREDICTABLE IN NUMEROUS WAYS, AND THE 'ENDOGAMIC,' WHICH APPEAR UNREMARKABLE AND WHICH HIDE THE INCEST. IN ENDOGAMIC FAMILIES FORCE IS RARELY USED AND THE INCESTUOUS RELATIONSHIP BUILDS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. IN MANY CASES THE CHILD IS REWARDED BY LOVE FOR INCESTUOUS BEHAVIOR AND BECOMES A PARTICIPATING PARTNER. AT TIMES A FAMILY MAY BE PERSUADED TO ENTER THERAPY ONLY UNDER THREAT OF LEGAL INTERVENTION, BUT IF LEGAL THREATS ARE NOT NECESSARY, THEY ARE INAPPROPRIATE IN CASES OF PROMISCUOUS AND ENDOGAMIC FAMILY INCEST. THEY ALSO MAY CAUSE HARM TO BOTH THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)