Why is incest considered 'wrong'?

Question

For the record, no, I could never date one of my siblings.

I only have to wonder why it's been labeled taboo since the dawn of time, because I've heard several reasons, most not too clear on their origin. Don't tell me it's wrong just because it's 'immoral' -- The question here is -why- is it immoral? How did the societal norms get to be this way? Is it truly just linked to birth defects? Social stigma? Something altogether? And why, if it is so unlawful, does it show up in fiction so often?

Can somebody clarify where all of this comes from?

Answer 1

Incest is actually way more common than general society will ever admit too. People say it's wrong really only because in general we are taught from a very early age that it's wrong. People also say that if a baby is born from an incestuous courtship that it will come out deformed. This is NOT always true. The chance of an incestuous offspring having any kind of birth defect is only 7% higher then any baby not born out of incest. That's a pretty small percentage when you think about it. That means that 93% of babies born from an incestuous courtship are completely fine and healthy.

I personally am NOT in an incestuous relationship with any of my family members. Nor do I want to be. But I WILL stick up for those who are in one. It's not right and actually Un-American to have a law in place that says you don't have the right to be with someone who you love and loves you back just because you happen to be related to that person. It's really kinda sad when you think about it

Answer 2

from a biological standpoint, incest goes against man's responsibility to propogate the human race because yes, there is a strong possibility of birth defects, and his "seed" is kept within a small circle of people (his family).  this sounds a little ridiculous, but it makes sense.  it is not necessarily a moral question, so much as biological.  

personally, i also think it's just plain icky.

Answer 3

Is this a real question? why is incest wrong??  

Answer 4

Have you noticed that everything that is unlawful shows up in both fact and fiction? Incest was made popular by greed. People intermarried to keep the wealth, and the control in the family. This became a problem because it was noticed that certain diseases (like cancer) and birth defects became more prominent as time went by, it was also noticed that there was a rise in insanity.

Today there is scientific proof of this.

There is also a psychological impact: when a man mates with his female relative (almost always young) - she is affected negatively by the experience.

Answer 5

Incest, like homosexuality, is illegal in many places because it challenges the norms of "the normal family." The "normal family" is a pillar of the current social order. Anything that challenges its dominance is suppressed by the rulers who want to keep things as they are.

Remember that the family as it currently stands is relatively modern. It was created so that rich people could hand down their property and so that workers would reproduce enough new workers to keep the rich people rich.

Of course anyone with a mind of their own would agree that the government has no business regulating ANY consensual s*x between adults.

But alas, most people don't have a mind of their own. They are completely unable of independent thought and so have to resort to irrational replies like "It's just wrong" with no elaboration whatsoever.

Answer 6

It's called consanguity - close family relations that have children see their bad genes reinforced, which tends to make babies that have all sorts of medical problems and deformities.

Since our society professes to want to protect our children, anything that damages them is taboo.

And incest is top of the list for damage.

Answer 7

It isn't wrong, only bigots and jerks press that it is.  And I spit on them.  There is a LOW chance of there being something wrong with the baby, just like in any OTHER relationship.

EDIT: Technically, Lisa, I don't 'indulge' in incest, but for the sake of explaining itm I just say I do.  I go out with my sister and we're an item, but we haven't had s*x whuch is what incest is.  We've had plenty of oppurtunities, over the last 5 years, but we haven't.  Puts a damper on your selfishness argument, eh?

But really, I'd love to debate more about this, so if you'd like, email me at [e-mail]

(I'm a he)

Answer 8

Is Tiss serious about his/her answer? The only reason one would protest so strongly for an issue is if one is indulging in that issue.

Incest is a sick act propagated by a sick part of society, further s******g up the human race all the more for their selfish, sick needs, because normal society would not indulge them. People who indulge in this act should not be allowed to procreate and further spread their mental disease to the innocent!

Yes, incest is wrong, not because society says it's wrong, or birth defects, insanity etc increases,  but because your own mind, that guides you, waves a red flag against the act. You ignore that red flag and justify it by asking why.