General Chat

My husband's grandparents married in 1937 and they were first cousins. My great grandparents were also first cousins and they married before 1910. It's the closest relationship allowable in marriage as far as I know. Louise

It is legal. But in my opinion it should not be. I believe that the risk of genetic abnormality is thirteen times as high as with unrelated couples. In a civilised society that is simply unacceptable.

Apparently the Pakistani community is the most 'interbred' (not using that term offensively) in Britain, because first-cousin marriages are so common and the community wasn't that large to start with. If my maths is correct, unrelated couples will have eight different grandparents between them, and first cousins will have six different grandparents, so it's still quite a mix of genes. Once or twice won't cause any harm, unless your family has a serious genetic disorder already present. Social acceptance is quite another thing. Given that quite a few people aren't sure if it's even legal, I imagine that announcing such a marriage would raise some eyebrows.

i watched an article about it on the news the other night. it seems that the asian community are ill informed about the genetic problems. as a carer i actually visit 2 asian families that have severely,and i mean severely,disabled children. the husbands and wives of both families are 1st cousins.one family has 6 children,4 of which are disabled.the other family have 4 children 1 of which is disabled. not only are the husbands and wives 1st cousins but both families are also related. they are all brothers and sisters i.e mr x is the brother of mrs y and mr y is the brother of mrs x. mr x has now told us that he has arranged a marriage of his daughter to mr y's son!!!! this rings alarm bells!! the genetic illness that these poor children have is just going to go round in circles,surely! i really do think that they ought to be educated a bit better about the problems that can occur. a film has been made in pakistan,using actors,relaying the dangers.it is being shown in all the mosques. but according to the report on tv the asians are in denial. i had nothing but admiration of one pakistani man though. he has cancelled his daughters marriage to his sisters son as he doesnt want his daughter to spend her life caring for disabled children. he has lost his family through his decision which i think is so sad susie

I'm pretty sure it's always been legal but when we were an RC country, the church had jurisdiction and granted dispensations for marriages between cousins (not just first).

Hi Roxanne, Thought I'd add my bit! It's not illegal in this country for 1st cousins to marry, but they are always advised to seek genetic councelling, as the risk of birth deffects is much higher. I believe it is illegal in many of the US states, though. Debbie

personally i dont agree with it, but marrying your 2nd cousin is fine i think, but thats my opinion, i dont know much so i dont want to offend xxx UPDATE- sorry i was wrong, i thyink its 2nd cousins son/daughter you can marry. My boyfriends sister is going out with their 2nd cousins son, his dad has looked into it and it is all LEGAL xxx

I think the problem arises because they marry 1st cousins generation after generation. Nothing wrong with it as a rarity but continual inbreeding will cause genetic problems. Jacquie xxxx

I think it is actually legal to marry cousins, first or second which is why they are talking about making it illegal. It is not wise because of the health problems it can cause but I am sure it is not illegal at the moment. My Grandmother's brother married his first cousin and his daughter was OK but that is probably because they didn'y have any health problems to pass on. Ann glos

Just googled and found this:- Certain members of families may not marry. These couplings are set-out in the Marriage Act of 1986. Many of these prohibited relationships will be obvious (you may not marry one of your siblings for example) and others are rare, but similarly obvious (you may not marry, for example, a former wife or husband’s parent). Marriages between first cousins were previously prohibited, but they may now marry each other.

Hi Roxanne Pretty sure it used to be illegal but not any more. I think it's very dodgy when you think of the close blood links and the risks involved. Debby

Hi Roxanne As far as I know it is still illegal to Marry first Cousins and now just thinking about it I can't remember if that is the same for 2nd cousins. Far too close in blood relative terms for marriage and very unfair on the children, that's if people knowingly do this. Pat x

I thought that it was(basicly) the same as marrying your brother/sister. Micheal.

Dave, I wouldent want mine either!!lol

I read that Roxanne. I didn't think that it was illegal but I remember being told when I was younger that it wasn't wise, as any genetic problems would be worse in their offspring.

Dont want to marry mine Roxanne I only have one and he is Male lol! Davex

Ive just been reading an article about this, it seems comon practice in the asian community, but they are now being warned that it could cause defects to children born from such a union, I thought it was illegal to marry a first cousin??