It is not clear if it is legal or socially acceptable to marry a family member, especially a first cousin.
Some cultures and societies may have traditionally allowed cousin marriages, but people are becoming more aware of the genetic risks, and the law varies from place to place.
This article will go into detail about the laws in Washington State that say you can not marry your cousin, as well as the reasons for those laws and the arguments that surround them.
In Washington State, it is illegal for first cousins or other close relatives to get married. Parents and children, siblings, uncles or aunts and nieces or nephews, and first cousins are not allowed to get married by law.
People in these situations are thought to be too close to get married, so the state does not allow them.
Any marriage that did not follow Washington State’s rules on cousin marriage would be thrown out. This means that the marriage would not be recognized by the law, and the people involved would not have the rights and benefits that married people usually have.
Historical and Cultural Context of Cousin Marriage
In the past, cousin marriages were more common in many places around the world. This was done for a number of reasons, including:
- Maintaining Property and Wealth:Â In some cultures, marrying within the family ensured that property and wealth stayed consolidated within the extended family.
- Strengthening Social Bonds:Â Cousin marriages were sometimes viewed as a way to strengthen familial ties and create stronger social alliances.
- Limited Partner Options:Â In smaller communities or isolated areas, the pool of potential marriage partners might have been limited, making cousins more readily available options.
However, cultural views on cousin marriage have changed a great deal over time. As people learn more about genetics and how it might affect their children’s health, laws and social norms in many parts of the world are being tightened.
Genetic Risks of Cousin Marriage
There is a lot of genetic material that first cousins share because they share grandparents. Because they share ancestry, there is a greater chance that both partners have the same recessive gene for a disorder.
If both parents have a recessive disorder, there is a greater chance that their child will also have the disorder because they will have two copies of the recessive gene. The following are some common recessive genetic disorders:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Sickle cell anemia
- Tay-Sachs disease
Studies show that babies born to first-cousin couples are a little more likely to have birth defects and genetic disorders than babies born to parents who are not related. Even though the overall risk is still pretty low, it is a big reason why cousin marriage is illegal.
Arguments For and Against Cousin Marriage
The legality of cousin marriage is often a topic of debate, with both supporters and opponents making different points:
Arguments in Favor of Cousin Marriage
- Personal Liberty:Â Supporters of cousin marriage may argue that adults should have the freedom to choose their partners regardless of familial relationships. They believe the government should not interfere with personal choices in matters of love and marriage.
- Cultural or Religious Traditions:Â In some cultures or religions, cousin marriage may be a long-standing tradition with deep roots. Advocates might argue that these traditions should be respected and legal restrictions infringe upon cultural and religious practices.
- Maintaining Familial Bonds:Â Some proponents see cousin marriage as a way to strengthen family ties and keep relationships close-knit within an extended family.
Arguments Against Cousin Marriage:
Increased Health Risks: The main reason people do not want their cousins to get married is that their children will be more likely to have genetic diseases. People who are against it stress that it could hurt children and that we need to put the health of future generations first.
Concerns about society and morality: Some people think it is wrong for cousins to get married. They might be worried about how family roles and relationships are becoming less clear.
Potential for Exploitation: Some people worry that when there are power differences in the family, weak people could be forced or pressured into marrying a cousin.
Alternatives to Cousin Marriage
People who were thinking about marrying a cousin now have other options that are less dangerous for their health:
- Genetic Counseling:Â Couples can consult with a genetic counselor before starting a family. Genetic counselors assess the risks of passing on recessive disorders based on family history and can offer testing options.
- Wider Societal Acceptance: Encouraging broader societal acceptance of romantic partners outside of one’s family can help decrease instances where individuals feel limited in their choices, leading them to consider cousin marriage.
Conclusion
The fact that cousin marriage is legal in Washington State shows that people are becoming more aware of the genetic risks that might come with these kinds of relationships.
Some people may want people to be free to choose their own spouse, but the law is against cousin marriage because of concerns about the health and well-being of children.
People from families with a history of recessive disorders can now get genetic counseling and tests that give them more information about how to plan their families.
Ultimately, it is up to each person to decide if they want to marry a cousin or not. However, it is important to be fully aware of what might happen to future generations.
Also see:-Is It Illegal to Ding Dong Ditch in New Jersey? Here’s What the Law Says
