Incest Taboos.

Defining Incest and its Universality

Incest, in anthropological terms, refers to sexual relations between individuals culturally defined as relatives. This definition is crucial as the biological relationship is often secondary to the cultural classification. While the definition of “close relative” varies – sometimes including affinal relations (in-laws) – the taboo is nearly universal, although its strictness and enforcement differ significantly.

Theoretical Explanations for Incest Taboos

Functionalist Perspectives

Early anthropologists, like Émile Durkheim, viewed incest taboos as crucial for maintaining social solidarity. They argued that the taboo prevents competition for mates within families, forcing individuals to marry outside their kin group, thereby creating alliances and expanding social networks. A.R. Radcliffe-Brown emphasized the role of exogamy (marriage outside the group) in fostering social cohesion and reducing intra-group conflict. This perspective prioritizes the *function* of the taboo in maintaining social order.

Structuralist Perspectives

Claude Lévi-Strauss proposed a structuralist explanation, arguing that incest taboos are a fundamental mechanism for establishing and maintaining social structure. He asserted that the incest taboo transforms kin relations into reciprocal obligations, creating a system of exchange between groups. By prohibiting close relatives from marrying, societies necessitate exchange relationships with other groups, thereby creating and reinforcing social bonds. The "not-I" principle is central to his argument - the incest taboo allows individuals to become subjects through symbolic exchange.

Psychoanalytic Perspectives

Sigmund Freud’s Oedipus complex theory offers a psychoanalytic explanation. He argued that the incest taboo arises from the son’s unconscious desire for his mother and rivalry with his father. The resolution of this complex leads to the repression of these desires and the internalization of the father’s authority, ultimately reinforcing the taboo. This perspective emphasizes the psychological development of the individual and its impact on social norms.

Variations in Incest Rules Across Cultures

While the general prohibition exists, the specific rules defining incest vary considerably. For example:

• Cross-cousin marriage: Common in some societies (e.g., parts of the Middle East and Pacific Islands), cross-cousin marriage (marriage to a cousin through the mother's brother or father's sister) is permitted or even preferred, whereas marriage to a direct cousin is prohibited.
• Levirate and Sororate: These customs dictate that a widow must marry her deceased husband’s brother (levirate) or a widower must marry the brother or sister of his deceased spouse (sororate). While seemingly counterintuitive, they maintain kinship ties and inheritance rights.
• Royal Incest: Historically, some royal families (e.g., Egyptian Pharaohs, Habsburgs) practiced incest to maintain bloodlines and consolidate power, although this was often accompanied by social and genetic consequences.

Implications for Kinship Systems

Incest taboos are inextricably linked to kinship systems. They dictate marriage patterns, inheritance rules, and the distribution of social roles. The specific rules surrounding incest influence the complexity and structure of kinship terminology, reflecting the social significance of different kin relationships.

Perspective	Key Argument	Focus
Functionalism	Promotes social solidarity and reduces competition	Social Order
Structuralism	Creates exchange relationships and reinforces social bonds	Symbolic Structure
Psychoanalysis	Arises from repressed desires and Oedipal complex	Individual Psychology