Am J Psychiatry 1982; 139:482-485
Copyright © 1982 by American Psychiatric Association
Children eroticized by incest
A Yates
The assumption that children involved in incest are passive, unwilling
victims is an oversimplification of a complex situation. Young children may
find such relationships gratifying and, when exposed over time to intense
genital and extragenital stimulation, they often become highly erotic. This
hypermature responsiveness may be viewed as learned behavior; the behavior
is self-reinforcing and may be difficult to modify. The author describes
three children to illustrate their arousal, inability to differentiate
sensual from affectionate touch, early gender discrimination, and
stereotyped role modeling. Foster homes are neither trained nor supported
in caring for these children, so serial placements are common.
