It wasn't "consensual" incest

Mackenzie Phillips reframes her sexual relationship with her father

Published February 3, 2010 1:01PM (EST)

Mackenzie Phillips' sexual relationship with her dad wasn't "consensual" after all, she says. The "One Day at a Time" star caused a stir last fall by suggesting it was while promoting her memoir, "High on Arrival." She claimed her famous father, John Phillips, first raped her on the eve of her wedding night at the age of 19 -- but explained that over the years she became a willing participant. Immediately, feminist bloggers called B.S., arguing that parent-child incest can never be consensual, even among adults. (For the record: I disputed that broader point.) Now, it seems Phillips has come around -- or at least she's avoiding the c-word. On "The Joy Behar Show" Tuesday night, the Celebrity Rehabber explained her new perspective:

First of all, I'd like to reframe my word "consensual." As I was writing the book, I thought this word ... it kept sitting wrong with me, but I used it for lack of a better word. And since then I've been schooled by thousands of incest survivors all across the world that there really is no such thing as consensual incest due to the inherent power a parent has over a child. So I wouldn't necessarily call it a consensual relationship at this time.

It's interesting, though, that she avoids the word "rape." Check out the clip below.


By Tracy Clark-Flory

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