But among non-Ashkenazim the first-cousin marriage rate was 8.8% and an additional 6.0% of marriages were between more distant cousins. Jews from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey saw rates of 7–10.7%.

Why do people in the Middle East marry their cousins?

Throughout the Middle East, Africa and parts of South Asia, marriage between family members has been widely practised for thousands of years, largely as a means of securing relationships between tribes and preserving family wealth, but also as a practical necessity given that genders are often kept separate.

How common is cousin marriage in Iran?

First cousin marriages (51.8%) were the most common type of marriages and the α-value was estimated to be 0.0363 for the Iranian Mandaean population. The rates of first cousin marriages were 35.4% and 74.1% in urban and rural areas, respectively.

Is inbreeding common in the Middle East?

Inbreeding or consanguineous marriage is a common traditional practice in Middle Eastern cultures. Studies from various countries and communities of this region showed that the frequencies range from 20% to greater than 70%.

Which countries have the most inbreeding?

Data on inbreeding in several contemporary human populations are compared, showing the highest local rates of inbreeding to be in Brazil, Japan, India, and Israel.

Is it legal to marry your mom in Alabama?

Alabama Marriage Requirements Minors under 16 years of age cannot marry, but minors between ages 16 and 18 may with the consent of their parents or guardians. You cannot marry children, siblings, parents, uncles, aunts, grandchildren, grandparents or great grandparents of any relation.

Can first cousins have a healthy baby?

The vast majority of children of first cousins are healthy and do not have problems due to their parents relatedness. It is important to keep in mind that even for an unrelated couple, there is an approximately 2-3% chance that their child is born with a birth defect, genetic syndrome, or disability.