ABSTRACT
Even in this era of moral permissiveness, shock and perhaps even horror register when traditional family boundaries are violated. The blurring of boundaries, particularly in the area of sexual relations that can be characterized as incestuous, has been an issue addressed by all societies, notwithstanding that what constitutes boundaries and boundary violations varies from one society to another. 1 For the purpose of this chapter, I define family incest as sexual relations between a spouse and a member of the family of the other spouse, whether or not this person is related to the other spouse by blood (for example, the wife's sister-in-law); sexual relations of a spouse with a biological child, adopted child, or stepchild; sexual relations between siblings; sexual relation between a spouse and someone who is treated like "one of the family," such as a babysitter, nanny, housekeeper, or employee (outside of the home); and sexual relations between a spouse and a "family friend."
