Family interactions within incest and nonincest families

Article Abstract:

To some degree, all studies of incest (sexual contact between members of the same immediate family) must attempt to explain a family system that allows and tolerates the sexual abuse of a child. There is quite a bit of literature addressing the issue of incest but none of it reports on studies where patterns of behavior in these families was directly observed. To conduct such an observation, the Beavers-Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scale was constructed to rate a family's functioning. Specifically, the scale looks at a family's power structure (who calls the shots in the family), mythology (beliefs about reality; i.e., superstitions that they believe are real), skill in negotiating differences among members, allowance for individual members to grow away from the family, and whether or not the family allows members to express emotion. The Beavers-Timberlawn scale was used to assess 30 known incestuous families and 30 nonincestuous families that each included a child seen in a child psychiatry clinic. Behavior was videotaped and rated. The incest families' dysfunctional patterns that seemed to support and maintain the incestuous behavior were a rigid family belief system (beliefs resistant to change even when challenged), a dysfunctional parent coalition (parents unwilling to intervene), parental neglect, emotional unavailability (inability to express love, anger, or other emotions), and the inability to support independence of family members. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexual behavior, Incest

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Mourning and longing from generation to generation

Article Abstract:

Interviews with survivors of the Holocaust almost invariably reveal that the experience of being torn away from close family is at the core of their trauma. When the mourning process is not allowed to be completed, depression and sadness result which can be passed on to succeeding generations. Many survivors, attempting to rebuild lost lives, created families before the completion of their mourning. As a consequence, the children tend to share their parents' somberness, and have a deeply buried longing for memories they cannot have. As they grow up, the children search for a more positive identity, and thus take their social and parental responsibilities very seriously. As the subject of the Holocaust is dealt with more openly by the second generation, the families become more capable of escaping the shame and guilt of their pasts.

Causes of, Demographic aspects, Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945), Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Bereavement in children, Mourning customs

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Disclosure of sexual orientation: comments from a parental perspective

Article Abstract:

Parental acceptance is fundamental to the mental and emotional health of gays and lesbians who are about to reveal their sexual orientation to their parents. Hence, rejection by either parent is a severe blow that may lead to suicidal thoughts and attempts. Efforts by youth groups and social services for gay youth to support homosexuals as well as their families to provide the necessary healthy environment for their children should be lauded.

Parental acceptance, Sexual orientation, Outing (Homosexuality)

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