Uncovering Nakedness: A study on Paternal Tendencies toward Incest

Review of Related Literature

Sexual abuse of children is far more prevalent than most people realize. At least 25% of
the adult population of this country has been molested as children. 25% of girls are molested
before the age of 16. Incest is the most common form of child abuse.
Incest cases are increasingly reported in the Philippines. Data from the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reveals the prevalence of incest nationwide. From
1991 to 1996, the number of reported incest cases reached 1,835 from 45 in 1991. The top five
regions with the most number of reported incest cases are the National Capital Region with 178
cases, followed by Region IV (100 cases), Region III (50) cases, Region VII (44cases), and
Region V (42 cases). In the latest report, in 2004 alone, 1,084 cases of incest were reported, four
of the minor victims were male and the majority of it was female.
What is incest by the way? Incest portrayed in literature is not just a 20 th century
phenomenon. Pre-historic man (Australian aborigines), in the various stages of his development
is known to be through the inanimate monument and implements which he has left behind. We
should certainly not expect that the sexual life of those poor naked cannibals would be moral in
our case or that their sexual instincts would be subjected to any great degree of restrictions. Yet
we find that they set before themselves with the most scrupulous care and the most painful
severity the aim of avoiding incestuous sexual relations (Strachey, 1950), as what we know is
termed, “incest taboo.”
Incest (Latin in, not and casuts, chaste) is sexual activity between those who are related
by blood or marriage. Incest abuse is any use of minor child to meet the sexual or sexual-
emotional needs of a person whose authority is derived through on-going emotional bonding
with that child (E. Sue Blume in vinland.org).
Incest’s specific malice is contracted by such unlawful commence between those related
with in 4th degree of consanguinity or affinity (Thorndike et al, 1990). Incestuous abuse “does
not require penetration, nor does it eve require touch”. Sexual abuse does not include sexual
exploration between peers, but rather, a violation, which due to her relatively powerless position,
makes the victim’s consent impossible. It is based on coercion using the child’s dependence to
control her it rarely requires physical force.
Incest may not be what you think it is. The term incest has been taken to mean sexual
relations between siblings, the marriage of first cousins, and the seduction by fathers of their
teenage daughters. According to E. Sue Blume, a diplomat in clinical social work, people refer to
“incestuous relationships” as if there were a relationship, as if there were reciprocity. Society
tries to hold anyone responsible for the incest other than the one who commits it.
The relationship between fathers and their children is a fragile one. It should be one of
encouragement and trust, love and devotion. When these basic elements are absent or violated,
the child’s emotional well being is damaged. Some of the basic responsibilities of a father are:
providing adequate food, clothing and shelter, medical care, and an education. Some intangible
but vital responsibilities are: providing discipline, love and nurturing, being a good listener and
knowing how to communicate with the child. Knowing what the boundaries are between parent
and child is critical to a healthy relationship (Jeavons, 2002).
According to Jeavons, writer of incest articles of Suite101, sexual abuse is comprised of,
not only the physical act of molestation, but the betrayal of trust and love. The end result of this
traumatic experience can be substantiated in victims who may suffer the consequences of the
abuse for an entire lifetime. Children, who are sexually abused by a father figure, endure feelings
of shame, guilt, worthlessness and hopelessness. The emotional effect of sexual abuse is more
harmful than any other form of child abuse and the abuse of their fathers is the most traumatizing
of all added by Blume (1990).
To better understand the deal with incest in the Philippines socio-political context, a
common definition must be adopted. In-depth and extensive research provides enough bases to
arrive at a more appropriate definition of incest. It is proposed to be defined as “the sexual abuse
committed against (1) a child by a person who is related to him/her by consanguinity or affinity,
or who exercise influence, authority or moral ascendancy over the child, or who has or is
entrusted with the care, custody or education of the child; (2) an adult by a person who is related
by consanguinity or affinity to the adult, or who acts as parent or guardian to the adult victim-
survival (Understanding Incest in the Philippines, 1998).
Knowledge surrounding incestuous families has little organization and is often
contradictory Greenberg in McCauley (1981) points out that descriptions of these families
consist of more opinion than observation and more subjective conclusions than demonstrations
based on data. Numerous characteristics and patterns of behavior have been described as
pertaining to incestuous families and the offender himself (Cormier, Kennedy and Sangowicz,
1962; Henderson, 1972; Sarles, 1975 in McCauley, 1981). However, as one reviews the
literature, the lack of consistency in the findings becomes apparent and oftentimes frustrating.
There are several research studies that present several factors that may influence a child-
sexual offender/ incest offender to commit such behavior. One of these is the Model of Etiology
and Maintenance of Adolescent sex Offenders developed by O’Brien (1986 in Gonsiorek et
al,1994). The EMASO model attempts to organize in a logical manner the many social, family,
individual, and situational factors suggested in the literature. These factors contribute to sexual
offender development and maintenance of the abuse behavior.
Presented below is an array of factors cited in the literature as either causal or correlates
of intrafamilial child sexual abuse. This summarizes the historical and the current factors in
intrafamilial abuse behavior.

Factors Studies
Family Dysfunction
Male Sexual Abuse: A Trilogy of Intervention. John C.
• Lack of clear boundaries between the
Gonsiorek et al. 1994.
offender and the victim (blurred
Vulnerable Populations Vol.2. Suzanne M. Sgroi, M.D.
boundaries) 1989.
• Role reversal ( ex. “Parentifying child” Treating Child Sexual Offenders and Victims. Anna C.

• Lack of empathy toward family Salter. 1988.

Understanding Incest in the Philippines. The Bureau,
members
QC. 1998.
• Failing marriage Sexual Attraction and Childhood Association: A Chinese
Child rearing patterns Brief of Edward Westermarck. Arthur Wolf. 1995.

• Degree of the father’s involvement in Incest and Sexual Abuse: Approaching the Last
Frontier. Larry McCauley. 1981.
the upbringing of the child determines
Secret Survivors: Uncovering Incest and its Aftereffects
to what extent he is at risk of incest in Women. E. Sue Blume. 1990.
Unsatisfactory Marital Relationship
Treating Child Sexual Offenders and Victims. Anna C.
• Marital discord
Salter. 1988.
• Wife colluding, passive. Powerless or Understanding Incest in the Philippines. The Bureau,
dependent QC. 1998.
• Wife chronically depressed/ mentally or Incest and Sexual Abuse: Approaching the Last
Frontier. Larry McCauley. 1981.
physically ill
Secret Survivors: Uncovering Incest and its Aftereffects
• Sex punitive mother or avoiding of
in Women. E. Sue Blume. 1990.
sexuality Mothers Surviving Child Sexual Abuse. Carol-Ann
• Absent mother or mother died or Hooper. 1992.
incapacitated
• Mother indirectly responsible for incest
to occur (actively encourages or fails to
stop the abuse)
• Mother employed or preoccupied
• Unstable or abusive marital relationship
Attitude towards sex
Male Sexual Abuse: A Trilogy of Intervention. John C.
• Pedophilic tendencies (“lazy
Gonsiorek et al. 1994.
pedophiles”)
Vulnerable Populations Vol.2. Suzanne M. Sgroi, M.D.
• Preoccupied with sexual matters 1989.
• High incidence of extra-marital coitus Treating Child Sexual Offenders and Victims. Anna C.
Salter. 1988.
• High incidence of masturbation
Incest and Sexual Abuse: Approaching the Last
• Strong sexual response to thinking of or Frontier. Larry McCauley. 1981.
seeing females Anthropology. Ember et al. 2002

• Sex is used as an expression of power,

anger and control
• Pornography stimulates the sexual
fantasies, arouses their urge to assault
someone, activates their offense
behavior
• Had a relatively “unusual views on
 sexual relationships/ acts
Attitude towards children
Male Sexual Abuse: A Trilogy of Intervention. John C.
• Children were regarded as their
Gonsiorek et al. 1994.
property
Understanding Incest in the Philippines. The Bureau,
• Feels fully justified and entitled to use QC. 1998.
his daughter Sexual Attraction and Childhood Association: A Chinese

• The only one in the family he does not Brief of Edward Westermarck. Arthur Wolf. 1995.
Incest and Sexual Abuse: Approaching the Last
feel intimidated
Frontier. Larry McCauley. 1981.
• The only person in the family he can Secret Survivors: Uncovering Incest and its Aftereffects
derive a sense of power in Women. E. Sue Blume. 1990.

• Lacks empathy toward the child

• Obtains a sense of control through
involvement with the child
Socialization
Male Sexual Abuse: A Trilogy of Intervention. John C.
• Social isolation or poor socialization
Gonsiorek et al. 1994.
(may gravitate toward younger children
Vulnerable Populations Vol.2. Suzanne M. Sgroi, M.D.
providing opportunities for incest) 1989.
• Under socialized- difficulties in Treating Child Sexual Offenders and Victims. Anna C.
interpersonal relationships Salter. 1988.
Understanding Incest in the Philippines. The Bureau,
• Anti-social peers (social experience is
QC. 1998.
limited to groups with negative Sexual Attraction and Childhood Association: A Chinese
behavior) Brief of Edward Westermarck. Arthur Wolf. 1995.
Organic issues Incest and Sexual Abuse: Approaching the Last

• Use of alcohol or drugs (tends toward Frontier. Larry McCauley. 1981.

Secret Survivors: Uncovering Incest and its Aftereffects
substance abuse)
in Women. E. Sue Blume. 1990.
• Contributes to sexual acting out when
the individual overcomes the normal
inhibitory mechanism or judgment for
sexual impulses
• Offender is a dependent sort of man
who drinks heavily/ drunkards
Upbringing experiences
• Came from poor families-enmeshed
and chaotic/rigidly disengaged
• Poor adjustment between him and his
parents, large number of divorce and
separation
• Child molesters were molested in
childhood
• Physically and/or sexually and/or
emotionally abusive parenting
Positive attitude towards patriarchy

Personality Profile
Incest and Sexual Abuse: Approaching the Last
• Ineffectual
Frontier. Larry McCauley. 1981.
• Non-aggressive Secret Survivors: Uncovering Incest and its Aftereffects
• Has background of emotional in Women. E. Sue Blume. 1990.
deprivation Male Sexual Abuse: A Trilogy of Intervention. John C.
Gonsiorek et al. 1994.
• Timid/shy
• Assertive
• Weak
• Often intimidated by adult relationship
• Low self-esteem
• Feeling of vulnerability

According to Salter (1988) and Gonsiorek et al (1994), two conditions must be present
for a sexual assault to take place. The offender must be willing or has motivation and have the
opportunity-situational. Willingness occurs to be either the offender is sexually attracted to
children and willing to assault them for sexual gratification or the offender converts a nonsexual
problem into sexual behavior. In either case the motivation for the offense comes from the
offender. As a result of learned social attitudes and the predisposing factors in an individual’
history, a number of motivations may develop such as the need for intimacy, affection, power,
control, affiliation, or arousal.
An opportunity can arise where an offender has the access to a vulnerable and available
potential sexual victim. The family, however, may wittingly or unwittingly provide the
opportunity.
In one survey conducted by a women’s group, fathers rank as the number one abusers of
minors. Fathers account for 28.9 percent and uncles make up 16.1 percent. Twenty-nine cases
reported in the newspapers (Today, Philippine daily Inquirer, Manila Times and Abante)
involved the biological father as the abuser while seven cases involved stepfathers. Uncles were
abusers in 12 cases while grandfather figured in seven cases and cousins in six.
In Tulipat’s thesis (2000) which involved 18 case studies, almost the same information
was gathered. There were eight cases of abuse by fathers, either biological or stepfathers. These
findings only point up the pervasiveness of incestuous crime in our society today. Incest’s
accurate statistics are virtually impossible to get, but conservative estimates are alarming.
Studying paternal tendencies toward incest may contribute in the prevention of abuse.
Understanding what leads to abuse through the perpetrators standpoint may give us the answers
to this research main objective—to explain why fathers sexually abuse their children.
Reference:
Blume, E. Sue. Secret Survivors: Uncovering Incest and its Aftereffects in Women. John Wiley and Sons. New York.
1990.
Ember et al. Anthropology. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 2002.
Gonsiorek , John C. et al. Male Sexual Abuse: A Trilogy of Intervention. SAGE Publications, Inc. 1994.
Hooper, Carol-Ann. Mothers Surviving Child Sexual Abuse. Routledge Neffetterlane London. 1992.
McCauley, Larry. Incest and Sexual Abuse: Approaching the Last Frontier. Oklahoma. 1981.
Salter, Anna C. Treating Child Sexual Offenders and Victims. SAGE Publications Inc. 1988.
Sgroi, Suzanne M. M.D. Vulnerable Populations Vol.2.Lexington Books, D.C. Heath & Company. 1989.
Strachey, James translation of Sigmund Freud. Totem and Taboo. W.W. Norton & Company Inc. 1950.
Tulipat, Priscilla. Study on Incest: Feminist Participator Approach. Published MA Thesis. University of the
Philippines Diliman. 2000.
Wolf, Arthur. Sexual Attraction and Childhood Association. A Chinese brief of Edward Westermarck. Stanford
University Press. Stanford Ca. 1995.
Understanding Incest in the Philippines. The Bureau, QC. 1998.
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