Incest and its meaning: The perspectives of fathers and daughters

This article describes incestuous events and the structure of meaning surrounding the events by biologic fathers and stepfathers and biologic daughters and stepdaughters. Using a symbolic interaction framework the study is guided by the thesis that the meanings people attach to incestuous events are central to understanding the phenomena of incest. Data were obtained from indepth interviews with 40 men (14 natural fathers and 26 stepfathers) and 44 children (18 biologic daughters and 26 stepdaughters). The interviews emphasized fathers' and daughters' recollection of events and their thoughts and interpretations of the incestuous activity while it was occurring. Both fathers and daughters reported that the sexual activity grew out of already existing family interactions. However, fathers and daughters' cognitions surrounding the events differed dramatically. Many of the fathers said their thoughts were dominated by themes of sexual gratification, control, power and anger, and rights and responsibilities vis-à-vis their role as father or stepfather. Daughters reported disbelief, confusion, guilt, and anger. According to fathers, they completely misread their child's reaction to what was happening. Although fathers said that they knew what they were doing was wrong, few reported that they were concerned with possible legal consequences. Cet article décrit des événements incestueux et la structure de la signification donnée à ces événements par les pères biologiques et les beaux-pères et par les filles biologiques et les belles-filles. Utilisant un cadre d'interactions symboliques, cette étude s'appuie sur la thèse que le sens donné aux actes incestueux par les différents protagonistes est indispensable à la compréhension de l'inceste. Les données ont été obtenues à partir d'entretiens approfondis avec 40 hommes (14 père biologiques et 26 beauxpères) et 44 enfants (18 filles biologiques et 26 belles-filles). Les entretiens mettaient l'accent sur le souvenir que les pères et le filles avalent des événements et sur leurs pensées et leurs interprétations au cours de l'activité incestueuse. Aussi bien les pères que les filles rapportent que la sexualité est apparue suite aux interactions familiales déjà existantes. Cependant la perception des pères et des filles entourant l'événement diffère tout à fait. Beaucoup de pères disent que leurs pensées sont dominées par des thèmes de gratification sexuelle, de contrôle, de pouvoir et de colère, de droits et de responsa