There is a growing debate among researchers over the true incidence of mother-son sexual abuse and whether the phenomenon is as rare as indicated in the literature or merely underreported.
This author notes that the survey method may be unreliable in assessing the frequency of mother-son sexual abuse, as most documented cases have been disclosed during long-term therapeutic treatment, are rarely reported to child abuse authorities, and are not included in public statistics. Clinical literature, which is often criticized as being unscientific, unrealistic, and ungeneralizable, suggests that mother-son sexual abuse is underreported, but the empirical literature maintains it is rare. Defining maternal sexual abuse is further complicated by cross-cultural differences regarding appropriate displays of affection toward children, particularly regarding their genitals. Some experts would broaden the category of sexual abuse to include sexual misuse, which is defined as all sexual stimulation inappropriate for the child's age, developmental stage, and role in the family. Researchers interested in more accurately assessing the prevalence of mother-son sexual abuse should consider using qualitative and quantitative methodologies including medical records, interviews, case studies, and life history analyses. 43 references