Incest

Incest is sexual activity or marriage between very close family members. It is a taboo, as well as a criminal offense, in virtually all societies. In many societies premarital sex is allowed or encouraged; in most such societies, the same restrictions apply to sexual unions as to marriage.

Related Topics:
Sex - Family - Taboo - Criminal offense

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The precise meaning of incest varies widely, because different cultures have differing notions of "sexual activity" and "close family member." Some jurisdictions consider only those related by birth, others also those related by adoption or marriage; some prohibit sexual relations between people who grew up in the same household, while others prohibit sexual relations between people who grew up in related households.

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Sometimes the word "incestuous" is also used metaphorically to describe other inappropriately close relationships, for example between an authority figure and a subordinate, or between people in the same profession or creative field.

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