first cousins - Women's Health Message Board

mee_mee · 06-27-2006, 12:10 AM

Hi

,

I just wanted to know what your opinions are on first cousins getting married? Is it legal or illegal? i know someone who has first cousins that got together and had kids, the whole family knows about it and has already accepted it. But it took a really long time for them to accept the realtionship.
Would you accept it if it happened to your family? i just need to know what other peoples opinions are on this. I know everyone is going to be disgusted because i was digusted at first when my friend told me about it. But then i realised how happy they were, so i guess it really wouldnt matter if they were in love. right?

malibu82 · 06-27-2006, 02:41 AM

Its not illegal to marry your first cousin, but I imagine not ever priest or vicar would marry two people who were related.

fallen_angel · 06-27-2006, 09:35 AM

hi,
the other poster is right its not illegal.
i personally dont agree with it and the main reason for that is that it can cause a much greater risk of genetic abnormalities in any children they have together. i also couldnt imagine finding anyone i was related to attractive in that way.
but i wouldnt judge anyone in that situation. you cant help who you fall in love with

djl · 06-27-2006, 02:08 PM

It did happen in my family. Actualy it was for the best. My great aunt did have a mental problem. Not so bad she had to be put into a home, but she did have one. Her 1 st cousin loved and cared for her and wanted to make sure she was taken care of and they did marry. They loved each other very much. They never had children. They were together there whole lives.

Titchou · 06-27-2006, 02:58 PM

I don't know about other countries, but some states in the US have restrictions on certain relatives marrying. It used to be in AL where I'm from the you could be no closer than 3rd cousins. I don't know if that's still the case. The reason is that close relatives often produce offspring with physical or mental defects. Hemophelia (sp?) is one often cited.