Can Cousins Really Marry In Texas? How About Kids?

Jokes about southerners marrying their cousins have been around forever. Texas gets joked about too ... unless there's an actual Texan nearby ... but, legally, can you?

"Kissin' cousins", "Uncle Daddy", the nicknames and jokes go on and on but, can you really marry a cousin. Anywhere ... not just Texas or in the south?

FYI, this isn't strictly a "southern" or even Texan thing. California's cool with this and let's not even get started on, (historically, at least), royalty.

Many family trees throughout history "only have one branch" but, seriously, can you really, legally marry your cousin?

That depends on what state you live in. It may seem weird but it's allowed all over. The couple's are adults and, presumably, not only aware of the stigma that comes with this but also the possible genetic issues and everything else you get "fishing off the family pier".

Can Adults Marry Kids?

This is where it gets creepy and, sadly, Texas is one of the states where marriage under the age of 18 ... sometimes, WAY under 18 and sometimes forced ... is legal.

"Texas saw the most child marriages during that period, with an estimated 41,774 taking place between 2000 and 2018, according to the study".

California was second, with an estimated 23,588, followed by Florida (17,274), Nevada (17,403) and North Carolina (12,637). - Newsweek

Many times, these marriage are arranged by family or those close to the couple and usually involve very young girls and, (sometimes much), older men. Even in states where this isn't legal, it's very easy to go to a state where it is.

Can This Be Stopped?

The group Unchained At Last wants to end this and their idea seems simple enough. They want the legal, minimum, age to marry raised to 19 in every state in the USA.

"You have to pass simple, common-sense legislation that costs nothing, harms no one, to end a human rights abuse that destroys girls' lives and creates a nightmarish legal trap for minors." - Newsweek