does it make a difference if you have grown up together or never meet
2007-03-29 10:13:58 · 24 answers · asked by Baby Girl 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
In most places is the world marrying a cousin is completely legal. There are even places where it is the NORM, and the saying is that, "cousins are made for each other"... as in marriage (link 1)!
The idea that incest causes birth defects is largely a false one. What it does do is tend to purify gene lines, so genetic diseases and recessive traits that are already present will have a tendancy to come to the surface. A recent study by the Journal of Genetic Counseling concludes that there is NO significant increase in birth defects among cousins as opposed to completely strangers (link 2).
The reason some people think of it as 'icky' is acculturation and the 'Westermarck Effect'. He discovered that even completely unrelated children who were raised together tended not to see each other as possible mates... the same is so for siblings, of course (link 3). For most people, it's not a big leap from deciding that something is 'icky' to coming up with lots of rationalizations WHY it's icky, even if most of those rationalizations haven't an iota of factual truth to them (much like racism).
Right now, marrying a cousin is legal in pretty much all of Europe, Africa, Asia... the only western country to forbid it is the US (and not even all of that). Given that such marriages are generally performed in all the religious institutions of those regions, it is arguable that just about EVERY religion sanctions it. Link 4 for more facts.
2007-03-29 10:18:52 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure if you grow up with your cousin, your feelings might be different than if you met as adults. As for religions or cultures that "allow marriage between cousins", I'm not sure.
You didn't mention if you are referring to "first" cousins? If you are, personally, I think it's disturbing. How anyone could look at their cousin and consider becoming "involved", is beyond me. The word "incest" comes to mind.
Even if you didn't grow up together, just knowing that this is a "relative" should tell you there are some boundaries you just don't cross.
It isn't my place to judge, I'm only offering my opinion.
2007-03-29 10:52:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does enable cousin marriages. My daughters will likely be marrying their male cousins. The whole household has agreed on that. Cousins are obvious as knowledge marriage companions in Islam.
2016-09-05 20:40:28 · answer #3 · answered by wark 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do a google search, in several states its sitll legal for first cousins to marry. I don't know the answer as far as religion goes, but I'm guessing it cuts right across all cultural lines for for the most part.
2007-03-29 10:28:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well In INdia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, all these countries is very normal for cousins to get married, most of the time they have to get married to each other it's arranged, they don't really have a choice. Also, for them it's how they were raised to think. I think it depends on the person and how they were raised. If you haven't met maybe it's more difficult because you have no idea how the person is. It's better to get to know the person as oppose to meeting them on the day of your marriage..Good luck
2007-03-29 10:19:07 · answer #5 · answered by Future Mrs. Hamlet 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm not sure about religions. I think in some US states marriage between first cousins may be legal.
2007-03-29 10:16:54 · answer #6 · answered by danl747 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
in my culture, back in the older generation, its common for like me to marry my moms brothers son in that way it would bring the families closer so sometimes the kids are engaged at birth already. but really, to me it feels kinda weird, i grew up with my moms brothers son and i have always treated him as a friend and brother, didn't know how he felt for until i got married and he didn't show up for the wedding. so it just depends on the people, cousin or not, know each other or not, they'll get married if they love each other.
2007-03-29 12:28:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"No European country prohibits it; Canada and Mexico allow it; as do 26 of the American states. Islam does not prohibit it, and neither does Christianity."
http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/?cat=15
I think if they fall in love, then they fall in love! It's more risky in terms of genetic defects your kids might suffer so I guess if you're gonna fall in love with your cousin try making it 3rd or 4th!
But seriously with so many billions of people on this planet and they get married to their cousins???Need to get out a bit more!
2007-03-29 10:27:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
it matters if the state you're in would allow you. It is legal in CA, CO, NM, TX, AL, GA, TN, SC, FL, VA, NY, VT, and RI. But legal or not, cousin marriage is taboo in almost all religions and cultures. It's called the incest taboo and is actually universal across the entire world (some cultures just dont consider cousins to be family). In America we do.
2007-03-29 10:19:19 · answer #9 · answered by hollybear 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
There is absolutely no scientific genetic prohibition against
cousins marrying and having kids, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th cousins.
This has been common knowledge for at least 10 yrs..
There are still a lot of ignorant people in this world...
2007-03-29 10:21:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋