Citation

Young FW. Am. J. Sociol. 1967; 72(6): 589-600.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1967, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/224397

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Incest taboos, defined broadly as prohibitions on emotional alliances among ingroup members, may be interpreted as one of a range of indicators of high solidarity. The "incest taboo problem" therefore dissolves because the real object of explanation is solidarity. Specific hypotheses are elaborated and a cross-cultural test of the interpretation is proposed. Functional interpretations that stress the preservation of existing role relations, although superficially similar, are seen to lead to different research consequences. Case material on the emotional aversions among age mates in collective settlements in Israel, between sons and adopted daughters in aiwanese families, and the incestous marriages of Egyptian royalty are interpreted.