If your cousin is attractive, how many times removed from you would make the them viable, legally & morally?

Question

This relates to incestuous intimacy, as per my last 2 questions. I am attempting to define the grey area of society on this subject.

My third question is above. Is it OK to sleep with a first cousin? Second cousin? Third cousin? Where do you draw the line? Since everyone on earth is blood relation only a limited number of times removed (I think the number is a few thousand), how many times removed does someone have to be for a adult consensual relationship to be legally and morally workable, proper and good?

In my first question it was unanimously agreed that acts of incest between consenting adults are both illegal and immoral. I agree!

My second question provided some contention and diversity of opinion. I asked "Is Incestuous pornographic material illegal? Is fantasizing about incest, with no intent to act, immoral? Whr?"

Answer 1

I know that first cousins chances of having a child with a birth defect is statistically larger, which is where the moral and legal issues derive. It has to do with the chances that both parents will have the same bad gene and so pass it on to a child. I think you can sleep with a first cousin, but having children together is a gamble that shouldn't be taken for the child's sake. Is it immoral, in the eyes of most people yes, but in some cultures it's the norm. When you talk about royal families in the past it was almost unavoidable, of course look at all the problems that those families had with birth defects. I don't really think it's immoral myself, but how can you take that kind of a chance with a child. Fantasizing is something else, I think that fantasizing is healthy and should be encouraged, as long as it stays a fantasy and the person realizes that this fantasy can never become a reality.

Answer 2

There are a lot of women and men on earth, so why is so difficult find one out ? We as grown adults can resist temptation. Relationships between cousins is as bad as between siblings, is immoral.

Answer 3

Gee, you're really curious about incest aren't you. I believe that by law you can marry a second cousin (unless you're English :) Morally, I suppose it depends on your morals (and just how "attractive" that cousin is :} But seriously, you realise that matings between bloodlines leads to deformities and degradation of the entire species don't you? Incest is not just against moral and legal laws, it's against the laws of nature.

Answer 4

I guess it would depend on how well you know them. I have cousins I never see, and second cousins I have never set eyes on and don't even know they exist. but I also have 2nd 3rd and 4th cousins that I am close to (not that close) but I wouldn't dream of having a relationship with them.
Those i don't know, well I could have met any of them when I was younger and if we were attracted to each other, well you never know do you, it wouldn't seem bad or unlawful because we wouldn't know any difference.

Answer 5

I know many first cousins who are married to each other, have children and living happy life. no medical problems at all as we keep on reading in medical journals. there is nothing wrong with that

Answer 6

i've always heard 3 times removed cousin

Answer 7

Me orthodox. Is considered wrong to have a relationship whit anyone from first degree relative to 7Th degree relative; alliance relatives also counts.

Answer 8

No a good idea. There are many other relationships to be had. If there are genetic problems they will be twofold. Be careful.

Answer 9

your third cousin...that is called your kissing cousin because the blood line is far enough back.....

Answer 10

No family. If something bad happens itll ruin your name.