Marriage between cousins in different cultures
Marriage between cousins is a practice carried out in different cultures with varying opinions and practices. It is widely accepted and even encouraged in some Asian countries like Pakistan and India. The practice is common in some countries as compared to others. For instance, cousin marriage is completely banned in countries like China and North Korea. However, in the United States of America, it has different receptions in the different states. It can be perfectly legal in one state but a criminal offence in another state. It can be a cause of serious social stigma in the society since it is considered to be incestuous and widely frowned upon. This paper therefore highlights various laws, perceptions and practices regarding cousin marriage in the United States in comparison to other areas especially Asian countries.
Cousin marriage laws in the United States
In the United States cousin marriage is banned in twenty four of the fifty states. This is largely due to the argument that it is not morally right for people who are related to have a marital union. Secondly, the children of married cousins, especially first cousins, run a higher risk of genetic disorders that they may inherit from their parents. Due to the relation, the defects may be more pronounced in the children, particularly if their parents carry a harmful recessive mutation in their genetic make-up. Children of more distantly related cousins have less chance of developing genetic disorders than those of closely related cousins. However, most of the reasons against cousin marriage are based on erroneous information and myths. The practice was more commonly practiced in the past as people generally did not want to marry strangers.
State-specific laws on cousin marriage in the United States
Cousin marriage is allowed in American States such as Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Colorado, California, Connecticut and Florida among others. Some of the states in which cousin marriage is prohibited include Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Ohio, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Michigan and Mississippi among others. Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Washington and Wisconsin currently prohibit marriage between first cousins once removed (Kuper). The United States of America is the only western country with cousin marriage restrictions as it is legal throughout Canada and Mexico.
Cultural perspectives on cousin marriage
In America, people view their cousins as part of their family, as they would view their brothers or sisters. Some even grew up with their cousins in the same homes therefore the thought of marriage does not cross their minds. This is one of the main reasons why cousin marriage is largely frowned upon in the United States. In some Asian countries however, it is very common, widely practiced and encouraged. Cousin marriage is part of some cultures across Asian countries where it is customary to marry one's cousin. The marriages are arranged very early and it is an accepted way of life. Cousin marriage in Asia stems from conservativeness among various communities which have preserved ancient practices and resisted the influence of the western culture. Cousin marriage is among such practices considered as an ideal handed down by ancestors to the present day generation. Contradicting the customs implies breaching of connection to the authentic cultural practices.
Debunking genetic effects and customs in Asian countries
In some of the Asian countries where cousin marriage is allowed, it is argued that the genetic effects on the child are exaggerated and are not based on proven scientific facts (Crow). In some Asian countries consanguineous marriage is on the decline while in other countries like Pakistan or India, no such evidence of decline in cousin marriage has been witnessed. Some view cousin marriage as the defining feature of the Middle-Eastern kinship system. In some Asian countries it is customary for the girl to marry her paternal male cousin and she cannot marry another without his consent. In Arabia, the custom is very strong and any outsider wishing to marry a woman must first approach the male paternal cousin and ask him for permission. They are then bound to pay him whatever he wants. Any man who marries off his daughter without the consent of the male paternal cousin may be killed by family members. This custom is also widely practiced in countries like Syria, with the only difference being that in Syria, the maternal male cousin has no say whatsoever. The custom is more common among the upper classes than the lower classes and the urban middle class, where cousin marriage or the right to marry cousins is largely ignored.
The influence of customs and societal structure
In most of these Asian countries, the concept of marrying a stranger is not welcome and the people prefer cousin marriages. This is embedded deeply in their customary laws and is a normal way of life in such societies. The practice is also common in the Middle East where they follow quranic teachings which support the practice and thus it is a major part of the customary laws in the countries. The Bible largely encourages cousin marriages as seen among various Biblical figures marrying their close relatives. Examples include Jacob and Abraham who married their close relatives. The Biblical foundations are said to be the reason for the prevalence of cousin marriage in Asia and the Middle East.
Variation in acceptance across different states in the United States
In the United States, the acceptance of cousin marriage differs greatly. Some states such as New Jersey accept and even encourage cousin marriage. This applies especially where the couple were married in another state or when they were residents of another state when they got married. Some states do not allow first cousin marriage but allow more distant cousins to marry. In Arizona and Indiana, first cousin marriage is only allowed when the people are 65 years or older or when one of them is infertile. In Illinois, it's allowed when both parties are 50 years or older. In Maine, first cousin marriage is allowed only after proof of genetic counseling from a genetic counselor. In Utah, the cousins may marry, but only if both are above 55 years and there is proof of infertility in one or both of them. In Wisconsin, it's allowed only if the woman is at least 55 years or either of the couple is permanently sterile. However, in most of these states, sexual relation or cohabitation is allowed and is perfectly normal and legally allowed as a common practice.
Difference in marriage laws between the United States and Asian countries
Marriage laws are established by the individual states in the United States of America and not by the federal government. This is the main reason why cousin marriage in the United States is varied with different responses from the public in the various states. In some of these Asian countries, however, the marriage laws are national and are largely based on the customs and religious affiliations which largely encourage cousin marriage. This is the reason attributed to why the practice is more prevalent in Asia and the Middle East (Chaleby). The strict Muslim customs and traditions in these countries greatly shape their livelihoods. This is applicable especially for women, who mostly have no choice in the matter and must accept whatever arrangements are made and agreed upon by their male counterparts in negotiations. They must strictly follow the customs in all situations.
Influence of family structure in promoting cousin marriage
In the United States, families are not usually as extended. This is opposed to the case in Asian countries and the Middle East whereby large families live together with all their relations such as uncles, aunts, cousins and even grandparents. In America, the families are more nuclear, whereby parents only live with their children. The reality places more importance on family relations. It thus becomes more difficult for one to get into a relationship with their immediate relatives. However, in the Asian countries such as Pakistan and India and the Middle East, it is easier to form such relationships due to the closeness of families. Their more communal way of life plays a big part in bringing the family members closer together. It is this communal lifestyle of constant family union that brings about the customs allowing cousin marriages in these countries and it is for this reason that the practice is less common and frowned upon in American society.
Cultural and societal factors influencing marriage practices
Rationally, the contemporary research findings reveal the importance of marrying from distant relations. One of the reasons for this is the need to preserve the precious human species and produce better adaptations able to survive in the ever changing and adverse environmental conditions across the world. Attempts are made with promising anticipations to facilitate public awareness on such marital and genetic issues. However, due to the difference in the levels of enlightenment across the world, the public response has been different. This justifies the disparity in the practice in different countries and cultures. Furthermore, marital issues have proven one of the most difficult situations to handle in the social arena.
Works cited
Kuper, Adam. "Changing the subject - about cousin marriage, among other things*." Journal of
the Royal Anthropological Institute, vol. 14, no. 4, 2008, pp. 717-735.
Chaleby, Kutaiba, and T. A. Tuma. "Cousin marriages and schizophrenia in Saudi Arabia." The
British Journal of Psychiatry 150.4 (1987): 547-549.
Crow, James F., and Arthur P. Mange. "Measurement of inbreeding from the frequency of
marriages between persons of the same surname." Eugenics Quarterly 12.4 (1965): 199-203.
