Westermarck Effect Stops Childhood Attraction

The Westermarck effect describes how children who grow up together during key early years do not usually develop sexual attraction to each other as adults. Researchers observed this in settings like Israeli kibbutzim and arranged "minor marriages," where boys and girls raised in close proximity showed very low rates of romantic pairing. Psychologists use this effect to explain why people often feel a strong, almost sibling-like aversion to sexual relationships with those they lived closely with as children.

Previous Fact Next Fact