With a world population reaching 8.1 billion, one might expect finding a partner with no familial ties to be easy. However, approximately 250,000 individuals in the United States are married to their cousins, keeping it within the family circle.
This scenario unfolded for a woman who, after five months of dating, discovered that the man she thought was her perfect match turned out to be depicted in her father’s family pictures.
Keep reading to learn more about the woman who became entangled with her relative!
In her mid-twenties, a woman shared a distressing tale on Reddit, recounting how her excitement over a new man she met on a dating app turned into sheer horror.
“I was chatting with this guy on Hinge with the most captivating hazel eyes, and I genuinely believed he could be the one,” writes the woman, using the alias Gelicca. “After a few exchanges, we decided to meet up, and before I knew it, we were a couple.”
After five months of being together, the woman and her boyfriend, both in their mid-twenties, were eager to take their relationship to the next level and introduce each other to their families.
Given that their families resided on opposite ends of the country, orchestrating this significant meeting required careful planning and consideration.
“We were both away from our hometowns and hadn’t had the opportunity to meet each other’s parents,” she explains. “Instead of the conventional approach of visiting each other’s homes separately, we opted for a joint dinner with both sets of parents.”
The author admits to feeling apprehensive about her parents meeting her new boyfriend, unaware at the time that they were already acquainted.
Family reunion
“When my father rose from the table to greet my boyfriend’s mother, his expression drained of color as he made eye contact with his cousin, my uncle’s daughter. It took them both a moment to grasp the connection,” recounts the woman.
She goes on to clarify that their parents hadn’t crossed paths in nearly three decades. “We sensed something amiss from the way our parents exchanged looks, and they soon informed us of our familial tie.”
The fact that both she and her then-boyfriend had independently relocated from their respective states to converge in the same city struck them as a stunning coincidence.
Taboo
Cousin marriage, also known as consanguinity, comprises approximately 10% of the global relationship landscape. This practice is predominantly entrenched in the social fabric of about one-fifth of the world’s population, particularly in regions such as the Middle East, West Asia, and North Africa.
However, in the United States, cousin marriage is less common, except in the 20 states and the District of Columbia where it is legally permitted.
Despite their deep love for each other, the young couple opted to end their relationship, unwilling to face scrutiny and driven by a desire to uphold familial integrity.
“Even though our love was genuine, we realized it wasn’t ethically sound. Ending the relationship was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made, but it was necessary for the well-being of our family. I simply informed my friends that things didn’t work out and quietly removed any traces from social media,” she recounts.
‘Finding out about this atrocity’
To avoid potential embarrassment from her usual profile, the woman created a new Reddit account, expressing her “horrification” over the incident.
“You hear countless stories of people inadvertently getting involved with relatives and discovering this awkward truth in the most unexpected ways, and mine was no exception,” she recounts.
Supportive comments flooded the thread from online users. “I’m sorry, that sounds like a tough situation. Kudos to you for handling it discreetly,” writes one user.
Another adds, “The most challenging breakups often stem from circumstances rather than personal conflicts or compatibility.”
Amidst the responses, diverse cultural perspectives emerged. “I come from a culture where parents would welcome such a revelation!” shares one commenter.
Another shares an anecdote about a family member who is the offspring of first cousins, highlighting the complexities surrounding such relationships.
Some Reddit users injected humor into the uncomfortable scenario. “They must have all ordered the meatloaf. And I bet they agreed it tasted just like Grandma used to make,” jokes one.
Another quips, “Perhaps they were dining at Olive Garden, where everyone is family.”
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