Exam Preparation: Incest Taboo and Societal Structures (12/11)

Review of Previous Class

Last session's theme involved ceremonial marriage sites.
Discussion on the implications of joining husband’s group from natal group in hunting and gathering societies:
- Meaningful loss and gain when women transition from their natal group to their husband's group.
Compensation method for the Inuit: Bright Service.
- Lasts on average for about 12 months.
- A long payback period (e.g., 2 years) results in social ridicule.

Marriage in Inuit society is characterized by a lack of formal ritual.
- Transition to marriage occurs when the father tells the son-in-law it is time to return home.
- The act of returning home signifies marital status with no formal ceremony or event.
- Post-marriage pressure includes expectations regarding reproduction.
- The focus shifts to future engagements via children rather than the relationship itself.

Upcoming discussion on the universality of the incest category will frame today’s lessons.
Reference to previous discussion on band-level exogamy.
- Understanding potential consequences of inbreeding is essential.
Definition of incest
- Incest refers to sexual relations between closely related individuals, including:
- Father-daughter
- Mother-son
- Sibling relationships
- These relationships are universally mentioned in all societies’ incest taboos.

Other relationships may also be prohibited based on cultural context but show variability across societies.
Band-level societies necessitate marriage outside the band to maintain genetic diversity.
- The social structure requires individuals from different bands to marry, further emphasizing the incest taboo.
Variability can extend to generational limits (e.g., first cousins preferred in some cultures, while second cousins are taboo in others).

Discussion on multiple theories focused on the incest taboo and its universality.
Importance of recognizing that without the incest taboo, societal frameworks could not exist.
Acknowledgment of different scholarly perspectives required to understand why incest taboos manifest uniquely across cultures.

Students must know:
- Names of scholars linked to theories.
- Theories summarized in sentences.
- Supporting evidence related to the theories outlined.

Inbreeding Theory:
- Helps avoid genetic disorders arising from mating between kin.
- Matings of closely related individuals heighten the probability of genetic diseases.
Coefficient of Relatedness (r):
- Represents the probability that two individuals share the same allele.
- (r = 0.5) for parent-child relationships.
- (r = 0.5) for sibling relationships.
- When mating with non-relatives, allele frequency drops significantly (1/n).

Genetic disorders like sickle cell trait or cystic fibrosis are present when two carriers mate.
Example of Mendel's experiments using pea plants highlighting different gene expressions.

A seminal study showcasing correlations between incestuous unions and genetic abnormalities.
- 161 children studied with 72 participating mothers.
- Noted difference in abnormalities:
- 40% of children from incestuous unions showed defects.
- 5% of children from non-incestuous unions showed defects.
800% difference in prevalence of disorders, raising concerns over the viability of societies permitting incest.

Importance of understanding implications of incest dynamics within societies.
Reminder on theories and upcoming examination structure.
Engage with comparative studies and implications of incest in cross-species behavior (e.g., baboons and other primates recognizing the dangers of inbreeding).
Anticipate further theory discussions in future classes.