First cousin married now their son marrying his first cousin

[Anonymous]

My high school friend is married to her first cousin, just found out that her son is engaged to her niece. She is a physician and had genetic counseling but it seems so odd and also it’s illegal in their state. It’s an arranged/love marriage and girl lives in India so they’ll probably marry there and it won’t be void in their state but I can’t wrap my head around it.

[Anonymous]

😬

[Anonymous]

To be fair, consanguineous marriages are common in many cultures but a young man who was raised here and his physician parents agreeing to it is odd, specially when parents are cousins too and young couple was raised in completely different worlds.

[Anonymous]

I have a sister who is a physician and adopted. She was encouraging inappropriate boundaries between her daughter and my older son. We rarely see her now and only in public places with many witnesses. She occasionally joked about how fun it would be if they one day married. I don't care if the girl is adopted and there would not be medical concerns. I find it creepy and disturbing.

[Anonymous]

Sorry the daughter is adopted not my sister.

[Anonymous]

It’s acceptable and legal even preference in many places but such a social taboo here so really surprised how kid (early 20’s) agreed to it, probably family pressure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a sister who is a physician and adopted. She was encouraging inappropriate boundaries between her daughter and my older son. We rarely see her now and only in public places with many witnesses. She occasionally joked about how fun it would be if they one day married. I don't care if the girl is adopted and there would not be medical concerns. I find it creepy and disturbing.

That’s just creepy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s acceptable and legal even preference in many places but such a social taboo here so really surprised how kid (early 20’s) agreed to it, probably family pressure.

Believe it or not, it's legal in a little less than half of all states, including all of the DMV.

[Anonymous]

It was quite common in India for a long time. What’s your concern, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was quite common in India for a long time. What’s your concern, OP?

None. I’m surprised why would one take risk of genetic problems, legality and pressurizing their child when there are probably millions of matches out there. I guess a close knit family trying to stay close.

[Anonymous]

Even with genetic counseling, second generation of cousins marrying would be a risky step, even if it’s just a perceived risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s acceptable and legal even preference in many places but such a social taboo here so really surprised how kid (early 20’s) agreed to it, probably family pressure.

Believe it or not, it's legal in a little less than half of all states, including all of the DMV.

I came here assuming the OP was from Virginia. (Source: I am from Virginia and know of a number of first cousin marriages.)

[Anonymous]

There are zero reasons worthy of increasing odds of genetic problems in grandkids. If there is an inheritance, he is probably better off without it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s acceptable and legal even preference in many places but such a social taboo here so really surprised how kid (early 20’s) agreed to it, probably family pressure.

Believe it or not, it's legal in a little less than half of all states, including all of the DMV.

Yep. I remember studying for the Maryland bar and learning that you can legally marry your first cousin there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s acceptable and legal even preference in many places but such a social taboo here so really surprised how kid (early 20’s) agreed to it, probably family pressure.

Maybe a lot of money at stake? And a socially awkward young man without many prospects? Yeah, strange a kid that grew up in the US would go for it.