ieties began to grow more complex, goods and resources increased; therefore, the need for the taboo decreased and its strength weakened. This weakening, therefore, explains why the prohibited group of relatives constricts as societies become more complex and industrial.
However, it is important to note that even in complex, industrial societies, the taboo has not disappeared; this despite abundance of goods, products and resources. Therefore, the taboo must still be serving some function. In this regard, it can be noted that in modern times, the incest taboo is said to serve the function of maintaining the integrity of the family unit.
While incest in the United States and other Western cultures has always been a concern, Allgeier and Allgeier (1985) report
that both the concern and the legal ramifications are far stronger today than they were years ago. The authors attribute the more severe legal penalties and the increased concern over incest to contemporary research which has revealed the extent of the
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