Legal relationship?

[Nikaleeona]

A work collegue has just announced to us all that she is pregnant, the father of the baby is her first cousin. A number of people have commented on this relationship and dont agree with it and say it isnt legal. Just wondering if anyone has been in this situation or knows anyone in this situation so i can set the record straight at work cos im fed up of the backstabbing. Many thanks x

[aliceband]

i dont spose she would let on if it was illegal. i know cousins who have children together.

[motherinfurrierfestivefrock]

First cousins are fine within the law. They can get married too.

[SnafuOutOfHiding]

It's not illegal. You can marry your first cousin, for heaven's sake.

Don't your workmates have anything better to worry about?

[scatterbrain]

I know cousins who married each other and have children - so it must be legal ! In fact I seem to remember that the law was changed to allow it not that long ago - in my lifetime I think !

I will google for you in a mo !

[Nikaleeona]

Exactly thats my point. They're a bit stuck up tho. It doesnt help that she only 19 n pregnant with second child. They not bothered in the fact they love each other n been trying for months to get pregnant just gives them summat to gossip bout. Its ridiculous!

[VPL]

Your work colleagues need to get lives of their own. What a bunch of nosey, nasty gossips. I'm sure it's perfectly legal and I know there is a MN'er that is married to her first cousin. Glad that you're sticking up for her

[scatterbrain]

Oh blimey - I am not that old - apparently law cahnged during Henry VIIIs reign so that he could marry his own cousin !!

Lots of health risks - in breeding causing abnormalities in children etc.

The cousins I know have a child with 6 toes and fingers on each hand - seriously though you wouldn't notice.

[aliceband]

oh i hate nasty gossips! They should be happy for her fgs.

[Nikaleeona]

Thanks everyone! I dont see a problem with it and its got nothing to do with anyone else but just wanted to check so i can stick up for her!

[scatterbrain]

Just cut them short - you need a good put down line like "Of course it's legal you small minded nasty gossip !"

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

It is perfectly legal in the UK to marry your first cousin. Infact no European country put any restrictions on such a relationship.

[VPL]

I thought the risk of abnormality had been dispelled as a myth or the risk was only slightly higher than usual. There was a really interesting thread about it on here ages ago.

[scatterbrain]

Well I just googled and there was loads of doctors advising people thinking of marrying their cousins to seek GP advice first - and I ahve seen the 6 fingers for myself - so don't know.

[Linnet]

It is legal as someone in my famiy married her first cousin.

[VPL]

It's not something I looked into personally. I just remember a thread on here that got a bit spiteful (IIRC) and there were some interesting links dispelling the idea that first cousin couples had a higher chance of having a child with birth defects or other SN.

[Nikaleeona]

Thanks for all your help everyone. Nice to know you are all so supportive. x

[JARM]

im married to my first cousin, with 2 gorgeous little girls.

his side of the family still have "issues" 3 years on, but everyone else seems to have been quite supportive.

[bran]

I think there can be genetic issues in communities that routinely have cousin marriages because they don't get much new blood into the community that way. If there is a history of genetic problems in the family (the kind that are recessive unless you inherit the gene from both parents) then I guess it would be a good idea to seek genetic counselling before having kids with your cousin, but that's fairly rare.