"Family is all that matters" - By Zachary Choong

Written By: Zachary Choong

Category: Essay

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Zachary Choong presents a thought-provoking essay titled "Family is all that matters," participating in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. His work delves into the complexities surrounding familial relationships and the societal taboos associated with incest. Through a critical lens, Choong examines the current era's dating challenges and the psychological, genetic, and social implications of such relationships. This entry in the essay category invites readers to ponder deeply on the boundaries of family and the moral considerations that govern them.

About the Work

Zachary Choong's essay navigates the controversial topic of incest, exploring its genetic repercussions and the emotional turmoil it inflicts on family structures. With a scientific and sociological approach, the essay discusses how such relationships can lead to inbreeding, psychological damage, and social ostracism. Choong challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths and consider the broader impact of these dynamics on individual liberty and societal norms.

"Family is all that matters"

Original Submission by Zachary Choong

“Family is all that Matters”

Sexual intercourse between sister, brother, parents, and even grandparents, a farfetched idea that isn’t very far in the current age. In the current era of dating, loneliness and isolation are at an all-time high due to various uncertainties in today’s dating such as catfishing, hidden mental health issues, mismatched values and ghosting. However, these should not be the basis of argument as to why incest can be accepted.

Sexual intercourse between biologically related individuals such as sisters and cousins often leads to inbreeding. This significantly increases the chances of recessive genetic conditions such as infertility, intellectual disabilities and unprepossessing features. Additionally, inbreeding usually results in high infant mortality rates and fifth wheel. Based on an ongoing study conducted by the University of Bradford, 13 000 babies and their families were recruited to research how inbreeding affects the genetic conditions and their later careers in life. It was found that almost 80% of babies were born with severe genetic conditions such as down syndrome, autism and other complications involving physical mobility, often leaving them unable to take care of themselves. This often leads to parents abandoning or culling their children at a young age to avoid responsibilities.

On top of this, sexual intercourse between biologically related individuals leads to psychological and emotional damage within the family. As the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt, many people rely on their family for emotional and physical support. By turning them into romantic partners, it shatters this safe foundation leading to jealousy, resentment and mixed beliefs. This often results in stress, depression, anxiety and long-term family issues. Based on a study done in 1982 by Baird et al, 29 children born from brother and sister matings as well as their respective parents went through a long-term assessment to discover the emotional setbacks faced by them. Many of these parents and children alike showed elevated rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, dissociation, attachment disorders, and sexual dysfunction such as Erectile Dysfunction and Anorgasmia.

Lastly, sexual intercourse and inbreeding usually leads to social stigmas, especially in the modern world, the risk of exposure, ostracism and long-term collateral damage is extremely high. Nearly all human societies view incest as a taboo subject which violates deep oral trust and social sanctions. This usually leads to employers, schools, religious groups, and neighborhoods often distance themselves due to stigma and in small towns, it could mean total exile.

In today's modern dating environment, rejection rates and discrimination rates are at an all-time high. Consensual incest between siblings or close relatives who are both adults represents one of the purest expressions of individual liberty. The emotional bond between siblings is especially deeper as Genetic Sexual Attraction can create intense mutual desires. This is favored in the present-day mating market: a low-drama, high-trust, pre-vetted partner who will not abandon you. While this may seem like the ideal option in the short run, the long-term problems like power imbalances, family system destruction, and hidden psychological costs, shatters entire family dynamics and the risk of potential future children or health problems remain real.

Therefore, although adult incest may offer a stable and intimate solution in the fleeting, i ultimately crumbled when faced with moral values and social stigmas. Hence, Incest is not a viable alternative to conventional breeding.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates the diverse voices and creative expressions of writers worldwide. This prestigious platform encourages participants to explore unique themes and ideas across various categories such as poetry, short stories, essays, and creative writing. The competition fosters a global community of writers, offering them an opportunity to share their narratives and engage with a wider audience.

We extend our gratitude to Zachary Choong for his insightful contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. His essay "Family is all that matters" challenges societal norms and provokes meaningful discussion on complex familial themes. We appreciate his willingness to tackle such a profound topic and contribute to the rich tapestry of voices in this year's competition.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.