2006-07-19 13:53:19 · 12 answers · asked by Paul D 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
Back in the olden days, most people lived in small communities with low population so the prospects of meeting and courting someone you were not somehow already well-acquainted with was rare.
Plus if you look back in history to maybe the 18th century or earlier, some families arranged their children's marriages with their cousins. Look at British royalty's history many of their royal marriages were among family members
Since most of the US originated in the south. I guess the southerners got stuck with the reputation.
2006-07-19 14:06:54 · answer #1 · answered by anosey1 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm from the south and I did not marry a cousin.
However, not only in the south but all across the United States of America if one is to marry a cousin it would be a 3rd cousin. The reason being that the couple would not have enough of the same blood to cause a problem with any children that came from the marriage. Years ago, a couple had to get a blood test performed before they could even marry and if they had the same genes they were not allowed to marry either do to the high risk of birth effects to the child.
Here is something else that you can ponder on since the question has been asked. With all the orphans, all the children living in the streets and all the people in the world that do cheat, how can one be so certain that they are not marrying a sibling or a relative of any sort.
2006-07-19 14:20:37 · answer #2 · answered by ~Sheila~ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is true. In fact, it is still legal in some southern states. I was born and raised in Texas and personally know several married couples that are cousins.
It used to be very common (mostly in pre civil war days) for the wealthy, high society southerners to marry their own cousins. They believed that this would keep there blood line pure.
2006-07-19 14:01:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most, if not all, stupid ideas/stereotypes or prejudices are based on some ounce of truth. Those southern hicks back 100 years probably did tend to marry their close relatives when they were living on little houses in the prairie.
How come there's not stereotype that Asians like to eat grits? Because it doesn't happen...
2006-07-19 13:59:09 · answer #4 · answered by DarthFangNutts 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It actually started in the appalachian mountains, because folks up there are mostly living like they did in the old days. ( the hillbillies) The stories that I read are as follows. The population up there is rather small, so there are not many people to hook up with, and also they are not really hygene concious. teeth going bad if they have any. No education etc. So with all of these factors The sibblings looked to inner Family relations. My point is that they were also reffered to as rednecks and since in the south we are considered rednecks, the joke became of inner breeding.
2006-07-19 14:05:22 · answer #5 · answered by sabre6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm from the south and I definitely did not marry a cousin or any other relative for that matter. There are crazy people all over the country!!
2006-07-19 14:00:02 · answer #6 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know the answer to the first Q but the second one i do believe is true.. part of my family( we don't socialize with them anymore) think it's OK to marry there cousins.They think it will keep the blood pure in our family.I find it wrong but they believe in it.
2006-07-19 13:59:32 · answer #7 · answered by Angelina T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im a southern gal and it iz absolutely not true.
2006-07-19 13:57:42 · answer #8 · answered by Feathers-n-Lace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NORTH WEST EAST AND SOUTH ITS TRUE IN EVERY DIRECTION
2006-07-19 15:02:38 · answer #9 · answered by maniac 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i know someone from the south that had sex with his daughter in law
2006-07-19 13:56:23 · answer #10 · answered by rick13312002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋