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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

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Original poster

Legal relationship?

18 replies

Nikaleeona · 17/12/2006 21:43

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

OP posts:

aliceband · 17/12/2006 21:44

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

motherinfurrierfestivefrock · 17/12/2006 21:45

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

SnafuOutOfHiding · 17/12/2006 21:46

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 · 17/12/2006 21:47

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 !

Original poster

Nikaleeona · 17/12/2006 21:48

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!

OP posts:

VPL · 17/12/2006 21:49

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 · 17/12/2006 21:52

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 · 17/12/2006 21:52

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

Original poster

Nikaleeona · 17/12/2006 21:52

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!

OP posts:

scatterbrain · 17/12/2006 21:53

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

AttilaTheMeerkat · 17/12/2006 21:54

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

VPL · 17/12/2006 21:55

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 · 17/12/2006 22:05

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 · 17/12/2006 22:07

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

VPL · 17/12/2006 22:08

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.

Original poster

Nikaleeona · 17/12/2006 22:09

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

OP posts:

JARM · 09/01/2007 08:34

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 · 09/01/2007 08:51

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.

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