Kim West, 51, gave up her son Ben Ford for adoption, 32 years ago. Ford was adopted and raised by a woman in England. In 2013, West sent Ford’s adopted mom a letter which resulted in West reuniting with her son. The two began an unusual and bizarre relationship that included romantic kisses and sex. Ford was married when he met his biological mom but that didn’t stop him and West from falling in love. Ford ended up leaving his wife to pursue his birth mother.
West and Ford’s Bizarre Love Is Defined As A Real Thing
According to New Day the two say they’re in love and plan on marrying. West describes their sex as incredible and says they may try for a baby. The relationship, while overtly non-conventional, can be explained in part with psychology terminology. The romance is defined as Genetic Sexual Attraction (GSA), which happens between close relatives, such as siblings or half-siblings, a parent, and offspring, or first and second cousins, who first meet as adults.
Relatives who fail to form the family bonds which create a natural taboo around sexual bonding are said to be at risk of interpreting intense familiarity as sexual attraction. The term GSA was coined in the US in the late 1980s by Barbara Gonyo, the founder of Truth Seekers In Adoption, a Chicago-based support group for adoptees and their new-found relatives.
Boundaries Don’t Exist In Books And Movies
People commenting on the story have posed questions around genetic deformities being prevalent if West and Ford continue their two-year sexual relationship and become pregnant. For me, the idea of GSA is similar to characters in V.C. Andrews, Flowers In the Attic series where brother and sister shared a little too much. The topic of incest between siblings was also a prominent theme in Six Feet Under, with siblings Brenda and Billy. In the two latter examples, the kids were raised together but in unhealthy environments.
West and Ford may not be breaking any laws aside from morality expectations. It depends on where they settle and where West delivers if they move forward on having a baby together. I’m all for love, but this is completely over the top.
Featured Image Getty/Tim Boyle
