Abstract
This article reviews the spectrum of positions with regard to sexual activity in the home involving adults and children. It explores the motivational aspects that promote incestuous behavior and particularly highlights the enticing rewards available to children to engage in sexual behavior with adults. Treatment implications are suggested that avoid parental blaming and direct treatment for children, except when children specifically reach out for help. Parent education and marital therapy are recommended as treatments of choice.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Annon, J. S. (1976).Behavioral treatment of sexual problems. New York: Harper.
Berliner, L., & Stevens, D. (1982). Clinical issues in child abuse.Journal of Social Work and Human Sexuality, 1(1/2), 93–108.
Bullough, V. (1976).Sexual variance in society and history. New York: Wiley.
Burgess, A., Groth, A., Holmstrom, L., & Sgroi, S. (1978).Sexual assault of children and adolescents. Lexington, Mass., Lexington.
Chandler, S. (1982). Knowns and unknowns in sexual abuse of children.Journal of Social Work and Human Sexuality, 1(1/2), 51–66.
Clark, A. (1983).The cognitive/affective small group parent training method. New Orleans: Tulane University School of Social Work, Child Welfare Series.
DeFrancis, V. (1969).Protecting the child victim of sex crimes committed by adults. Denver: American Humane Association.
Denson-Gerber, J., & Hutchinson, S. (1979). Sexual and commercial exploitation of children: Legislative responses and treatment challenges.Child Abuse and Neglect, 3, 61–66.
Dreikurs, R. & Soltz, V. (1964).Children: The challenge. New York: Duell, Sloan, & Pearce.
Dreikurs, R., & Grey, L. (1970).A parent's guide to child discipline. New York: Hawthorne.
Finkelhor, D. (1979).Sexually victimized children. New York: Free Press.
Frude, N. (1982). Sexual nature of sexual abuse.Child Abuse and Neglect, 6, 211–233.
Giaretto, H. (1982). A comprehensive child sexual abuse treatment program.Child Abuse and Neglect, 6, 263–278.
Ginott, H. (1969).Between parent and teenager. New York: McMillan.
Gittelson, N. (1979, January). What should we tell the children?McCall's, pp. 153–159.
Goldman, R., & Goldman, J. (1982).Children's sexual thinking. Boston: Routledge & Paul.
Gordy, P. (1983). Group work that supports adult victim of childhood incest.Social Casework, 64(5), 300–306.
Groth, A., Holson, W., & Gary, T. (1982). The child molester: Clinical observations.Journal of Social Work and Human Sexuality, 1(1/2), 129–144.
Greene, B. L. (1970).A clinical approach to marital problems. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas.
Haley, J. (1967).A clinical approach to marital problems. In G. Zuk & I. Boszormenyi-Nagy (Eds.),Family Therapy and Disturbed Families (pp. 11–27). Palo Alto: Science and Behavior.
Haley, J. (1976).Problem-solving therapy: New strategies for effective family therapy. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Harlow, H. F. (1965). Sexual behavior in the rhesus monkey. In F. A. Beach (Ed.),Sexual Behavior (pp. 234–265).
Health, R. (1972). Pleasure and brain activity in man.Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorders, 154, 3–18.
Jacobson, N. S., & Margolin, G. (1979).Marital therapy: Strategies based on social learning and behavior exchange principles. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Jones, H. B., & Jones, H. C. (1977).Sensual drugs. New York: Cambridge.
Jorne, P. (1979). Treating sexually abused children.The International Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect, 3(1), 285–290.
Justice, B., & Justice, R. (1979).The broken taboo. New York: Human Sciences.
Karacan, I., Williams, R. L., Thornby, J. I., & Salis, P. J. (1975). Sleep-related penile tumescence as a function of age.American Journal of Psychiatry, 132, 932–937.
Kinsey, A., Pomeroy, W., Martin, C., & Gebbard, P. (1953).Sexual behavior in the human female. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Kinsey, A., Pomeroy, W., & Martin, C. (1948).Sexual behavior in the human male. Philadelphia: Saunders.
LaBarbera, J., Martin, J., & Dozier, J. (1980). Child psychiatrists' view of father-daughter incest.Child Abuse and Neglect, 4, 147–151.
Lopiccolo, J., & Lobitz, W. C. (1973). Behavior therapy of sexual dysfunction. In L. A. Hamerlynck, et al. (Eds.),Behavior change: Methodology, concepts and practice (pp. 343–358). Champaign, Ill.: Research Press.
Madanes, C. (1981).Strategic family therapy. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Maisch, H. (1973).Incest. London: Andre Deutsch.
Masters, W., & Johnson, V. (1974).The pleasure bond. Boston: Little, Brown.
Mead, M. (1970, October). The role of sexuality in the social integration of children. Paper presented at the Third Annual Seminar, entitled Sex in Childhood, Children's Medical Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Minuchin, S. (1974).Families and family therapy. Cambridge: Harvard.
Schultz, S. (1982). Child sexual abuse in historical perspective.Journal of Social Work and Human Sexuality, 1, 21–36.
Stuart, R. B. (1980).Helping couples change. New York: Guilford.
Swan, R. (1980). Sex education in the home: The U.S. experience.Journal of Sex Education and Therapy 6(2).
Swan, R., Elmer, C., Oudin, A., & Rosenblum, W. (1981). Incest: A survey from private university. Unpublished manuscript, Tulane University School of Social Work, New Orleans.
Yates, A. (1978).Sex without shame. New York: Morrow.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Swan, R.W. The child as active participant in sexual abuse. Clin Soc Work J 13, 62–77 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00755378
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00755378