Abstract

The general goal of this chapter is to examine some of the dimensions of the incest phenomenon in contemporary Mexican society from a feminist sociological perspective. In particular, this chapter offers an initial analysis of a specific type of incest that I conceptualize as “transnational incest.” This work is part of a research project that I explain in more detail later, and in which I define incest as the sexualized contact (voluntary and/or involuntary, and the wide spectrum of possibilities that emerge between both) within the context of the family; this can happen between people related by blood and/or emotionally close family relationships, and which involve vertical relationships (that is, family members in positions of authority with minors or much younger women) or horizontal relationships (that is, family members close in age range or of the same generation).