Some may become hospitalized, alcoholic, psychotic or depressed. Referring to a study published in American Journal of Psychiatry, the counselor said that more than half of the women in these families are afflicted with serious illnesses or disabilities. The mother in incest families often is a homemaker who is financially dependent on the husband, Wilson said. 'One theory is that the father is looking for a closeness and emotional kindness that has nothing to do with sex,' Wilson said, pointing out that he may not get this from his wife. These 'family-oriented' men, desperate for affection and nurture, want to keep the family together and wouldn't think of going outside the family to prostitutes or other women to fufill their needs, said social worker Cheryl Wilson of Sunbeam Family Services, Inc. The father who commits incest with his daughter, in most cases, is not a 'dirty old man,' a 'pervert' or a 'sex maniac.'Īs described by several social workers who counsel incest victims and families, many incestuous fathers are in their late 30s, are fairly intelligent, have been married about 10 years and may be businessmen, professionals or have trades or skills.
