Incestuous relationships—those involving sexual or romantic interest between close relatives—are extremely taboo in most societies, and for good reason. Beyond the legal and moral boundaries, they carry real psychological, emotional, and genetic risks.
How They Sometimes Come to Be
Though rare and generally condemned, when incestuous feelings or relationships do develop, they can arise under a few circumstances:
- Genetic Sexual Attraction (GSA): This is a controversial and not universally accepted concept, but it refers to strong romantic or sexual attraction between close relatives (like siblings or parents and children) who meet for the first time as adults, often after being separated at birth. Some theorize this is because they share physical and psychological traits.
- Abuse or Power Imbalance: Many incest cases unfortunately stem from coercion, manipulation, or outright abuse—particularly from older family members to younger or more vulnerable ones. These situations are exploitative, traumatic, and criminal.
- Extremely Isolated Upbringings: In rare cases, people raised in very isolated environments with little contact outside their family might develop misplaced attachments or confuse familial closeness with romantic or sexual interest.
- Mental Health or Boundary Issues: Sometimes, incestuous interest arises from a lack of emotional regulation, poor impulse control, trauma, or other psychological factors that distort normal social and moral boundaries.
Why It’s Risky—Even Beyond Genetics
You’re absolutely right to say that confessing such feelings is incredibly risky and life-altering:
- Rejection could permanently destroy family bonds.
- The emotional fallout can be intense, even if the other person is understanding.
- If word got out, the social consequences could be catastrophic—not just humiliation, but possibly legal trouble depending on the jurisdiction.
- Family dynamics can be deeply traumatized for everyone involved.
Final Thought
Most people who feel these kinds of urges never act on them, either because they recognize the boundary that shouldn’t be crossed, or because they fear (correctly) the consequences. If someone struggles with incestuous feelings, it’s important to seek help from a licensed therapist—not to act on the feelings, but to explore where they come from and how to manage them safely and ethically.
If you’re asking from curiosity, that’s okay—taboo topics can spark genuine questions. But if this is something personal, talking to a therapist would be the safest and healthiest move.
