Incest: A Historical, Legal, Psychological, and Ethical Analysis
Introduction
Incest, broadly defined as sexual relations between closely related individuals, has been a subject of legal, cultural, and ethical discourse throughout human history. While the definition of incest varies across societies, it generally includes relationships between immediate family members, such as siblings, parents and children, and sometimes extends to more distant relatives. Attitudes toward incest have fluctuated based on historical, cultural, and religious contexts. This report provides an academic analysis of incest through four primary lenses: historical perspectives, legal frameworks, psychological and genetic effects, and social and ethical considerations.