Dear John,
Is it incest if I went out with my stepbrother? He lives in my house, but I really like him, and I think he likes me.
Yours sincerely,
Unsure Suzy
Well Suzy, there are two answers I can give you, the easiest:
No, it’s not officially incest.
The harder:
It’s not technically incest, however, it is a sticky subject. Problems are numerous, first of all, you live in the same house, that can be very strenuous on a new relationship. Second of all, if you ever break it off, it would be very hard to maintain strong family-relations. Last but not least, how does your parent feel about this? I wager he/she would frown upon it. Thus, I would highly recommend you to keep your distance.
If you still decide to follow up on this infatuation, proceed with caution. Wait a month to see if it’s just a crush or true love, to take such a risk for something frivolous, would be a mistake. Furthermore, you should know one-hundred percent certain, that he likes you back. Nothing like a good rejection to get the awkwardness flowing.
Good luck, and please write us what you did.
John Sacks
