..[The] disclosure of the incest secret initiates a profound crisis for the family usually...the abuse has been going on for a number of years and has become an integral part of family life. Disclosure disrupts whatever fragile equilibrium has been maintained, jeopardizes the functioning of all family members, increases the likelihood of violent and desperate behavior, and places everyone, but particularly the daughter, at risk for retaliation.

~ Judith Lewis Herman

Judith Lewis Herman At Risk Youth Child Abuse Child Protection Child Protective Services Child Rape Child Sexual Abuse Crisis Dysfunctional Families Dysfunctional Family Family Secrets Incest Secrecy Sexual Abuse

For many people, the shock of sexual abuse pales before the shock of this mother’s statement, “I wish the fuck I never had her.” So thoroughly is motherhood sentimentalized that the mother who wishes to be rid of her child is considered a monster. In reality, women have always greeted the burden of motherhood ambivalently, even in the best of circumstances, and many women bear children involuntarily. But the approbrium which attaches to any woman who willing gives up her child is so great that some mothers will keep and mistreat their children rather than admit that they cannot care for them. Sometimes, the revelation of maternal neglect constitutes a plea for outside intervention, signaling the fact that a mother wants to be relieved of the duty to care for her child.

~ Judith Lewis Herman

Judith Lewis Herman Abusive Mother Abusive Parent Abusive Women Child Abuse Child Neglect Child Protection Child Protective Services Child Rape Child Sexual Abuse Incest Maternal Neglect

Maternal absence, in one form or another, is always found in the background of the incest romance. Womens literature on incest generally treats the theme of maternal absence tragically. Mens literature trivializes it or treats it comically. And clinical literature tends to treat it judgmentally.

~ Judith Lewis Herman

Judith Lewis Herman Abusive Parents Child Abuse Child Rape Child Sexual Abuse Incest Maternal Neglect Parental Abuse Survivors

As long as fathers rule but do not nurture, as long as mothers nurture but do not rule, the conditions favoring the development of father-daughter incest will prevail.

~ Judith Lewis Herman

Judith Lewis Herman Abusive Father Abusive Men Abusive Parent Child Abuse Child Sexual Abuse Incest Inequality Patriarchy Sexual Abuse Traditional Female Roles