So, I'm dating my cousin now... Yeah...

[Sacman]

Well if you're not related by blood and it's adoption . . . I mean don't get me wrong, people in your family might be a bit off-put by it but I don't really think it's such a big deal if you both really care about each other if it's not blood.

well it's not completely blood but there is some because it happened a ways back it's hard to explain...

...okay... what exactly is your genetic relationship with her?

Her name is Alison and will be referred to as such because the she/her thing is kind of confusing especially when going into detail...
Let's see here her grandmother was adopted into the family but was already somewhat related to us from a ways back and than she had Alison's mother and then she had Alison...

 

[Rubashov]

Well if you're not related by blood and it's adoption . . . I mean don't get me wrong, people in your family might be a bit off-put by it but I don't really think it's such a big deal if you both really care about each other if it's not blood.

well it's not completely blood but there is some because it happened a ways back it's hard to explain...

...Huh?

So...do you or don't you two share common biological ancestry at a relatively recent point in your genetic histories?

If the answer to this question is no, then you aren't cousins and the fact that you are dating isn't any of anyone else's damn business.

If the answer is yes...well, it still isn't any of anyone else's damn business, but you might want to avoid having children together.

 

[Sacman]

And For all of those who will post pics of Hillbillys.....

Spoiler

Bam.... He Married his cousin. AND HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST PRESIDENTS EVER!

Don't forget Edgar Allen Poe...
[img height= 300]http://img.listal.com/image/376278/600full-edgar-allan-poe.jpg[/img]

 

[kaieth]

Anyway this is a continuation of a poll I started yesterday. It asked the question, " Would you date a close relative?" but in truth it was one of those relationship advice threads, that I never participate in. The whole thing started when I met a cousin I haven't seen in like a good couple years(I'm 17 she is 16 now) at a family reunion a week ago. I was out of town or else I would have posted earlier. I got the feeling she was coming on to me so I got her number and we've been talking and doing things together everyday since, I.E. Movies, mall, shopping ECT. All the time she's been dropping, extremely unsubtle, hints that she likes me more than a cousin. So at the time I thought, "I like her too we have a lot in common, and we have some decent chemistry together, so why not?" Today I worked up the nerve to tell her how I feel and to my surprise it wasn't extremely awkward, only slightly, but anyway she says she likes me too and, like me, wants there to be more between us. So were off but the first thing that crossed both of our minds was how the family would react. I mean our family is very supportive and close but that could cause more problems than actually help.

So what do you think I should do about the family? and have you ever been in a relationship that your family didn't approve of?

Also, keep in mind that it's legal in California to marry your cousins...

The main obstacle is social taboo. In many parts of the world (like most of Africa, large swaths of Asia, parts of Australia, and the American South) marriages between first/second cousins are incredibly common. Also, in terms of breeding, unless you have some sort of debilitating genetic disorder that runs in your family, you should be ok. There's only about a 3% increased chance of harmful genetic shit happening to your kid when you marry a cousin.

About your family... you could mention all of the famous figures that married their cousins (like Mark Twain). Not to mention, you're just dating. And the relationship at 17 years old probably won't last anyway.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

Uhm...wincest ftw?
Ok, you mentioned you haven't seen her in ~7 years, yes? Remember that grandmother/grandson story that I really hate to bring up? Relatives who have not seen each other in a while occasionally end up dating, for reasons that I dare not explore. Just keep that in mind, ok?
Also, don't fuck up the gene pool any more than you have to, alright? Even if you aren't technically blood relatives...

 

[Blindswordmaster]

*Slow clapping builds* You've done what so many of us haven't had the guts to do. Bravo.

 

[Paksenarrion]

This might be one of those short term, "who knows what's gonna happen?" relationships, and the fact that you're cousins is enticing in a dark, forbidden way. It may or may not fade over time. Just go for it, and live life. Enjoy your dark side.

 

[Nouw]

I recommend against this. You sure it's not lust?

 

[Sacman]

Well if you're not related by blood and it's adoption . . . I mean don't get me wrong, people in your family might be a bit off-put by it but I don't really think it's such a big deal if you both really care about each other if it's not blood.

well it's not completely blood but there is some because it happened a ways back it's hard to explain...

...Huh?

So...do you or don't you two share common biological ancestry at a relatively recent point in your genetic histories?

If the answer to this question is no, then you aren't cousins and the fact that you are dating isn't any of anyone else's damn business.

If the answer is yes...well, it still isn't any of anyone else's damn business, but you might want to avoid having children together.

Her name is Alison and will be referred to as such because the she/her thing is kind of confusing especially when going into detail...
Let's see here her grandmother was adopted into the family but was already somewhat related to us from a ways back and than she had Alison's mother and then she had Alison...

 

[Starke]

Well if you're not related by blood and it's adoption . . . I mean don't get me wrong, people in your family might be a bit off-put by it but I don't really think it's such a big deal if you both really care about each other if it's not blood.

well it's not completely blood but there is some because it happened a ways back it's hard to explain...

...okay... what exactly is your genetic relationship with her?

Her name is Alison and will be referred to as such because the she/her thing is kind of confusing especially when going into detail...
Let's see here her grandmother was adopted into the family but was already somewhat related to us from a ways back and than she had Alison's mother and then she had Alison...

So your last actual common ancestor was how many generations back? I'm guessing around 5.

 

[Thundero13]

Sorry I didn't answer your quesstions earlier, If you're family are the kind of people to not mind you should tell them if they aren't then don't tell them unless you know that you really are in love with her, I've never dated anyone that my family disapproved of or even dated anyone for that matter.
Also if you ever have kids then adopt.

 

[Desgardes]

Everything I said yesterday still stands, but with the added fun of not knowing you were a teenager, too. Jesus, there is literally nothing I can offer any longer, because, Christ, this is going to require an alignment of miracles to work out even remotely well.

 

[SextusMaximus]

People are going to find it weird. I'm one of those people, but if you love her, then go out with her. Even if it is creepy.

Or you're the world's greatest troll.

 

[Sacman]

Well if you're not related by blood and it's adoption . . . I mean don't get me wrong, people in your family might be a bit off-put by it but I don't really think it's such a big deal if you both really care about each other if it's not blood.

well it's not completely blood but there is some because it happened a ways back it's hard to explain...

...okay... what exactly is your genetic relationship with her?

I think 4 but I'm unsure...
Her name is Alison and will be referred to as such because the she/her thing is kind of confusing especially when going into detail...
Let's see here her grandmother was adopted into the family but was already somewhat related to us from a ways back and than she had Alison's mother and then she had Alison...

So your last actual common ancestor was how many generations back? I'm guessing around 5.

 

[Rubashov]

Well if you're not related by blood and it's adoption . . . I mean don't get me wrong, people in your family might be a bit off-put by it but I don't really think it's such a big deal if you both really care about each other if it's not blood.

well it's not completely blood but there is some because it happened a ways back it's hard to explain...

...Huh?

So...do you or don't you two share common biological ancestry at a relatively recent point in your genetic histories?

If the answer to this question is no, then you aren't cousins and the fact that you are dating isn't any of anyone else's damn business.

If the answer is yes...well, it still isn't any of anyone else's damn business, but you might want to avoid having children together.

Her name is Alison and will be referred to as such because the she/her thing is kind of confusing especially when going into detail...
Let's see here her grandmother was adopted into the family but was already somewhat related to us from a ways back and than she had Alison's mother and then she had Alison...

Okay, so the grandmother was some sort of distant relation who was brought into the family via adoption. I'm assuming that this made her grandmother the adopted sister of your grandmother? Which would make Alison your second "cousin". However, since her grandmother wasn't actually your grandmother's sister, the closest possible biological relationship Alison could have with you would be third cousin. And since you only said her grandmother was "somewhat" related to the family, suspect the relationship is actually considerably more distant than that.

...Yeah, I don't think you really have anything to worry about. Genetically, at least.

 

[Desgardes]

o_0

What? Your dating family? Well, whatever you feel is right, just be prepared for massive backlash if you go public about it.

Like divulging any personal information about either party on the world wide web? Information and its want to be free seem curiously public enough.

 

[Sacman]

Well I guess if no one else in the family has a problem with it, just go with it, for now.

but that's the problem I'm not sure if they will or won't...

 

[Dango]

Well I guess if no one else in the family has a problem with it, just go with it, for now.

but that's the problem I'm not sure if they will or won't...

Well, they will, very unfortunate for you, but true.

 

[Rubashov]

"you know you're a redneck when you go to family reunions to pick up women" - jeff foxworthy

if you're SERIOUS about it... well i am sorry to say you're mentally ill and there is nothing anyone can do. you NEVER date family no matter how connected you are. i know california is an open minded state that crosses the line to idiocy but dating family is TOO out there even for california.

Except they're not genetically related, or at least no more so than any random stranger you meet in a bar could be; the only reason they're aware of their distant genetic relation is because the girl's grandmother, who was distantly related to the family, was brought in through adoption.