John Stossel Report on Cousins Who Marry: "20/20" - 08/06/04
08-05-04, 10:44 AM
#1
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
John Stossel Report on Cousins Who Marry: "20/20" - 08/06/04
ABC, 9:00pm CDT.
This may seem like déjà vu because this report was first scheduled to air a couple months ago but was bumped because it was the day of the Martha Stewart verdict. I'm glad it is finally airing.
From Stossel:
This may seem like déjà vu because this report was first scheduled to air a couple months ago but was bumped because it was the day of the Martha Stewart verdict. I'm glad it is finally airing.
From Stossel:
This Friday, I start 20/20 with a look at cousins who marry. Many believe cousin marriage is wrong — incestuous. Any kids they have will be deformed, or stupid. Yet Albert Einstein's parents were cousins, as were the parents of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt. I talk to some married "kissing cousins," examine the laws, and look at a groundbreaking study that reveals most worries about cousins reproducing are unfounded.
08-05-04, 06:44 PM
#4
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
Originally posted by mikehunt
cousins breeding once is fine, it's when it's happened for a few generations that problems start happening
cousins breeding once is fine, it's when it's happened for a few generations that problems start happening
08-05-04, 08:35 PM
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
Originally posted by mikehunt
if there are any recessive genes in the family they'll show up pretty quick with inbreeding
if there are any recessive genes in the family they'll show up pretty quick with inbreeding
As I said, I think the dangers are greatly exaggerated.
08-07-04, 02:05 AM
#12
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally posted by MrX
Speaking of Arrested Development and incest I'll spoiler this for people
Speaking of Arrested Development and incest I'll spoiler this for people
Spoiler:
That would be great! If you're dying to read the spoiler you better do it because it may never happen and then you'll miss out on a good joke 
08-07-04, 08:40 AM
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
So it's a whopping 2-3% increase in risk of birth defects for cousins over the general population. But it's 10% if the woman is 41 years old. Perhaps there should be a law against women over 40 having children. Or perhaps it's time for all the states that have laws against cousins (of whatever degree) marrying should repeal them.
08-07-04, 10:12 AM
#14
DVD Talk Legend
When I was researching my family tree, I found first cousins who married on both sides -- my fourth great-grandparents on mom's side, and my third great-grandparents on my dad's side.)
As a result, I am my own 6th cousin and 7th cousin.
As a result, I am my own 6th cousin and 7th cousin.
08-07-04, 10:50 AM
#15
DVD Talk Legend
I missed this, though a bunch of were just talking how in Maryland there's no specific law banning cousin marriages (I'm in law school). Would have been curious to find out what Stossel said.
08-07-04, 11:06 AM
#17
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Originally posted by WillieTheShakes
I'm just curious (in a detached, slightly disturbed way) as to why there's such interest in cousin-marrying in this forum. Is there something I should know? Or shouldn't?
I'm just curious (in a detached, slightly disturbed way) as to why there's such interest in cousin-marrying in this forum. Is there something I should know? Or shouldn't?
Naw, it's a Freudian thing. Everyone wants to secretly bang their cousin. Right?
....nevermind. Forget I said that.
to the Arrested Development spoiler. Genius.
08-07-04, 12:39 PM
#18
DVD Talk Hero
So I guess I should've gone after that one hot cousin I always sort of had a thing for?
Damn.
Damn.
08-07-04, 12:42 PM
#19
DVD Talk Hero
This kid from Kentucky, Billy-Bob, marries his high school sweetheart, and they go on their honeymoon.
A couple of days later, he comes home alone. His family is surprised, and asks him what happened.
"Ever'thin' wuz jist going fine, until I gets her on the bed to consoomate the merrij. And then I finds out she's a vurjin."
His dad looked surprised. "A vurjin? Whut in tarnation is wrong wit' her beins a virjun?"
And Billy-Bob replied: "If she ain't good enough fer her own family, she sure as hell ain't good enough fer ours."
A couple of days later, he comes home alone. His family is surprised, and asks him what happened.
"Ever'thin' wuz jist going fine, until I gets her on the bed to consoomate the merrij. And then I finds out she's a vurjin."
His dad looked surprised. "A vurjin? Whut in tarnation is wrong wit' her beins a virjun?"
And Billy-Bob replied: "If she ain't good enough fer her own family, she sure as hell ain't good enough fer ours."
08-07-04, 02:31 PM
#21
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Very interesting report. I guess we never think about the prevalence of this overseas. What I also found interesting was the legal/illegal map. Look at the SE - legal. Usually the South (and I am certainly guilty of this) is considered backwards. Is cousin-marriage considered backwards or progressive?
The even more interesting question is why don't states where this is illegal erect barriers like you see with gay marriage?
The even more interesting question is why don't states where this is illegal erect barriers like you see with gay marriage?
