Marrying your cousin is shameful

Originally posted by: Believe

Hi all

Do you think that marrying ur cousin is shameful???

Society created these rules and scriptures for practical reasons. Morality has little to do with it. The main problem with inbreeding was the medical and genetic defects resulting from

The concept of incest is a more modern concept. Human relationships are more defined in our society. Moreover with the ill effects of in-breeding within the same gene pool we strongly reject such relationships.

However, we have to note that many cultures do not see it this way. In many US states as well as in India, marriage between cousins is common. This is due to the fact that cousins are not seen to be siblings and do not view each other as such. It is also a way to ensure marriage within the community/religion that is important to some people. With better understanding of in-breeding this is slowly changing.

But I think it is wrong to look down on people for a cultural aspect because they do not see it as a perversion or incestuous relationship – but a committed marriage like any other. Marriage within cousins is common in my community. My family never followed it and raised us cousins to treat each other like siblings, having raksha bandhan, bhai dooj etc. My grandmothers side which is mostly in rural Karnataka still arranges marriages between cousins. They grow up knowing that when they come of age their marriage maybe arranged to a cousin. Of course none of it is forced and they do have an option, and this is becoming much less prevalent. I know a few Southern Christian families also who married cousins. Also many communities who do practice this are trying to be conscientious of picking more distant cousins rather than close ones.

That being said any couple ready to conceive should have a full physical and blood test. This is a healthy habit that ensures both people are in good health to conceive, minimizes and diseases being passed on, and can help recognize if there are other potential birth defects or genetic disorders that can be passed on to the child.

Originally posted by: Ice-Thinker

I personally feel that it is not only shameful, but also around the line of perversity.

Marriage between first cousins is not medically (genetically) good either.

There used to be a time when it was allowed, due to a primitive situation (primitive in today's perspective). Beyond that (i.e. before the medieval or dark ages) it could be due to the lack of people?...

Anyways... I feel that it is more honorable to marry inter-cast, inter-racial, inter-religious, inter-linguistic, inter-nationals ... and promote a healthy practice of tolerance and peace.