Is it OK to marry 3rd cousin?
Is It OK to Marry Your 3rd Cousin? What Science and Culture Say
What Does “3rd Cousin” Even Mean?
Let’s clear this up first. A third cousin is someone who shares great-great-grandparents with you. That’s pretty far down the family tree. So no, you're not in the same immediate family circle or even the next one. By most genealogical standards, that's distant. Heck, some people wouldn't even recognize a third cousin if they passed them on the street.
The Legal Perspective
Is it allowed?
In almost every country—including the U.S., Canada, and much of Europe—marrying a third cousin is perfectly legal. Actually, in many places even first cousin marriages are legal (though often frowned upon).
So legally speaking? Yup, you're in the clear.
Historical context
Here’s a weird little tidbit: Charles Darwin married his first cousin. And royal families? They basically made cousin marriage a tradition to “keep bloodlines pure” (though we now know that's… not a great idea). But third cousins? Way less risk, way more distance.
What About Genetics?
Genetic risk? Very low
Scientifically, marrying a third cousin presents little to no increased genetic risk. According to studies, the percentage of shared DNA between third cousins is around 0.78%—that’s practically negligible. For context, siblings share about 50%, first cousins about 12.5%.
Actually—brace for this—children of third cousins might even have slightly better reproductive success than unrelated pairs. There's an Icelandic study that suggests that moderate genetic similarity can actually have evolutionary benefits. Wild, right?
The Social Side of Things
“Ew, that’s still family!”
Yeah, this is where it gets messy. Even if there's no law or scientific reason to avoid it, social norms can be... intense. Some people just get uncomfortable at the idea of any family relationship in marriage, no matter how distant.
But wait—some cultures are cool with it
In many parts of the world, cousin marriage (even closer than third) is completely normal. We're talking Middle Eastern countries, some South Asian communities, parts of Africa, and even rural areas in the U.S.
Honestly, in some families, a third cousin is so far off they don’t even show up at reunions.
Personal Anecdote (yup, it happened)
Quick story: My great-aunt once told me she had a crush on her third cousin back in the 60s. No one batted an eye, until her older brother made a sarcastic remark about “keeping it in the family.” She backed off—not because she felt it was wrong, but because of judgment. Fast forward to today: she laughs about it and says, “He probably would’ve treated me better than the guy I married.”
Whew.
Final Thoughts: So, Should You?
If you're thinking about it, the real questions are:
Do you both feel comfortable?
Is your family chill or dramatic about this stuff?
Are you doing it for love, not weird pressure?
From science to law to culture, marrying a third cousin is far from taboo—and sometimes, it’s barely noticeable in your family tree.
Just maybe skip bringing it up at Thanksgiving until after dessert.
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.