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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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31

Is Incest Always Rape?

Blog pundits debate if consent is ever an issue in father-daughter sex

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(Newser) – Actress Mackenzie Phillips has already raised the "Stockholm syndrome" regarding 10 years of sex with her rock icon dad, leaving many to wonder if incest can ever be consensual. The blogosphere appears unanimous that John Phillips' sex with a blacked-out Mackenzie was rape since she was unable to consent—which was the case the first time Phillips had sex with his teen daughter. But even years later, when an adult Mackenzie says the sex became "consensual," many remain skeptical.

"I doubt incest victims are ever capable of consent with their abuser," notes Alex Leo in the Huffington Post. "Nope. Not consensual. Not even close." But Tracy Clary-Flory in Salon doesn't think it's that straightforward. "Our visceral reaction to this cultural taboo warps the debate," she notes, making it difficult to determine if such relationships are "without exception" rape. Mackenzie described the sex to Oprah Winfrey as part of the "Stockholm syndrome where you love your captor" and perceptions become "warped and twisted."

Mamas and The Papas lead singer John Phillips appears with daughter Mackenzie, smiling on the outside.
Mamas and The Papas lead singer John Phillips appears with daughter Mackenzie, smiling on the outside.   (AP Photo/File)
Mackenzie Phillips, of the 1970's sitcom
Mackenzie Phillips, of the 1970's sitcom "One Day at a Time, " appears on the the NBC "Today" show last year.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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Mackenzie Phillips discusses sex with her rock icon dad, John Phillips.   (CelebTV)

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31 comments
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oldgoat
Sep 24, 09 5:21 AM CDT
I look at it in this case as two totally screwed up people that abused drugs and booze on a regular basis. I wouldn't doubt that either one would be totally capable of knowing right or wrong, consensual or rape. Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
Jassy
Sep 24, 09 6:34 AM CDT
Well of course she was "screwed" up. How could she not be with a monster as a father? She didn't stand a chance of being normal. It's only too bad that this man didn't die at birth to be able to do this to his own child.
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
DontLikeYou
Sep 24, 09 7:05 AM CDT
Oh liberals. Ms. Phillips could have said no. It was her duty to have said no. Wouldn't you have said no in the same situation people??? Hell, my daughter says no to me when I ask her to clean her room. Ms. Phillips had consensual sex by not saying no. Let's not take away accountability. People are accountable for their decisions. That is reality.
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-12
IN RESPONSE:
BeatBlaster
Sep 24, 09 9:13 AM CDT
It was her duty to have said no? What if she really was OK with doing this? I don't agree with her actions but she was an adult and if that's what she wanted to do then all we can do is sit here and judge.
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-2
IN RESPONSE:
BleeBloo
Sep 24, 09 12:58 PM CDT
She could have said no just like anyone who's been pressured to sexually service their boss could have said no, or anyone who's been too drunk should have said no. There's an INCREDIBLE power imbalance taking place with father-daughter incest, and it repulses me that you think "no" is even a simple option. No? Then I hit you until you say yes. No? Get a job and feed yourself. No? You live on the streets now. Get a clue, dontlikeyou.
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+3

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