Factors influencing the allowance of cousin marriages in the standard cross cultural sample.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine variance in the practice and acceptance of cousin marriage in select areas of the world. This study uses Murdock's Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS). The SCCS includes 186 societies ranging from contemporary hunter and gatherers to early historic states to contemporary industrial people. It is hypothesized that cousin marriages are more likely to occur in small, isolated communities, and in communities that experience high rates of pathogen prevalence. That is, the variance in the practice of cousin marriage may reflect functional responses to various local ecological and environmental pressures. The results demonstrate that geographic isolation and pathogen prevalence are both independent and significant positive predictors of whether or not a society practices cousin marriage. These findings suggest that consanguineous marriage may be an adaptive solution to the problem of mate selection, depending on the environment in which one lives. Consequently, the biological advantages may lead to and/or become an individual preference, which is then reinforced by the local culture. We contend that although social and cultural explanations are of obvious importance, they can only provide partial explanations, and much can be gained from incorporating an evolutionary perspective.

All in the family: Attitudes towards cousin marriages among young dutch people from various ethnic groups

“…At least 50% of the marriages in countries such as Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia occur among cousins (Hoben et al, 2016;Jaber, Shohot, & Halpern, 1996). There may be various proximate and ultimate factors underlying such positive attitudes.…”

“…Indeed, throughout the history of Western civilization, marriages between cousins have often been accepted or even encouraged, especially in the higher social classes to prevent the division of family property. Until the middle of the 19 th century, cousin marriage was permitted in the United States and in many European countries (e.g., Hoben, Buunk, & Fisher, 2016). However, during the 19 th century attitudes towards cousin marriage in the Western world became *Address for correspondence: E-mail: a.p.buunk@rug.nl gradually more negative, particularly due to the conviction that the offspring of cousins might suffer from genetic defects (see e.g., Bittles & Neel, 1994).…”

Evitação e proibição do incesto: fatores psicobiológicos e culturais

“…One of the most important findings is that it was observed that areas with historical high rates of pathogens prevalence have presented higher rates of consanguineous marriages between cousins (Hoben, Buunk, Fincher, Thornhill, & Schaller, 2010). In other more recent study, Hoben, Buunk and Fischer (2016) have demonstrated that the variance in the practice of consanguineous marriage between cousins may reflect functional answers to local ecological and environmental pressures. The results have indicated that the geographic isolation and the high prevalence of pathogens are independent factors and predictor of the possibility of marriages between first degree cousins.…”

“…It seems so. Under an evolutionary perspective, it may be better to relate with a cousin and take endogamy risks than not to marry anyone and, after all, not to reproduce (Hoben, Buunk, & Fischer, 2016). …”

“…The prohibitive rules carry some particularities related to society and historical context, despite there being common prohibitive typifications: it is more probable that in current societies the sexual intercourse between parents and children and between siblings is socially, morally or legally prohibited with universal scope (Sanderson, 2001;Shepher, 1983). In contrast, some societies encourage the marriage between cousins (Hoben, Buunk, & Fischer, 2016). It is discussed thus whether the social rules against incest are universal, or as Thornill (1991) suggests more properly, almost universal.…”