Cousin
A relative sharing a common ancestor two or more generations away.
A cousin is a relative who is the child of a parent's sibling, more specifically referred to as a first cousin. In the kinship system used in the English-speaking world, cousins are in a type of relationship in which the two cousins are two or more generations away from their most recent common ancestor. Degrees and removals are used to specify the relationship more precisely, with degree measuring distance from the common ancestor and removal expressing generational difference. Because the single term 'cousin' includes both degrees and removals, any given individual can have far more cousins among their living relatives than is possible for any other familial relationship.
- field
- Kinship and genealogy
- known_for
- Defining familial relationships through degrees and removals
Lore & Background
The term cousin encompasses a wide range of relationships, from first cousins (children of a parent's sibling) to more distant connections specified by degrees and removals. Degree starts at one for first cousins and increases with each subsequent generation from the most recent common ancestor. Removal expresses the difference in generations between the two cousins; when not specified, no removal is assumed. Additional terms include full cousin or cousin-german for a first cousin with no removals, and cousin-uncle/aunt or cousin-niece/nephew to describe the direction of removal. Gender-based distinctions exist, such as maternal cousin (related through the mother's side) and paternal cousin (related through the father's side), as well as parallel cousins (descended from same-sex siblings) and cross cousins (descended from opposite-sex siblings).
Reader's Guide
Cousins are significant in genealogy, anthropology, and law because they represent the most numerous category of living relatives for most individuals. The English kinship system's use of degrees and removals allows precise specification of relationships with common ancestors any number of generations in the past. In medicine and law, a first cousin is classified as a type of third-degree relative. Consanguinity, measured by the coefficient of relationship, decreases by half for each generation of separation from the common ancestor; first cousins have a consanguinity of one-eighth. Cousin marriage has been historically important, with about 10% of marriages currently and up to 80% historically being between first or second cousins. Anthropologists believe cousin marriage is used to strengthen the family, conserve wealth, protect cultural heritage, and retain power structures. Some groups encourage it, while others attach strong social stigma. Double cousins, half cousins, and other variations further illustrate the complexity of cousin relationships.
Did You Know?
- A first cousin is a type of third-degree relative in medicine and law.
- Double first cousins share both sets of grandparents.
- The consanguinity of first cousins is one-eighth.
- Historically, as high as 80% of all marriages were between first or second cousins.
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