Question

According to the text's discussion of the incest taboo,

A. the majority of states prohibit marriage between half-siblings and first cousins.
B. some states prohibit marriage between second, and even cousins.
C. some states prohibit marriage between affinal relatives.
Correct!
D. all of the above

Answer 1

The answer is D. all of the above, indicating that in the U.S., there are prohibitions against marriage between close blood relatives and affinal relatives.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the text's discussion of the incest taboo, the correct answer is D. all of the above. This means that in the United States:

• The majority of states prohibit marriage between half-siblings and first cousins.
• Some states have laws against marriage between second cousins, and even more distant relatives.
• Some states also prohibit marriage between affinal relatives, those related by marriage rather than by blood.

This taboo is a norm present in all societies, though the specifics of prohibited relations can vary. Incest avoidance serves as a mechanism to prevent close relatives from entering into sexual relationships, thereby promoting genetic diversity.