Decline in Cousin Marriages Among UK’s Pakistani Community

[Social Media]

 

The practice of cousin marriages within the UK’s Pakistani community, once prevalent, has seen a significant decline, particularly in Bradford, a city with one of the largest Pakistani populations in the country. A decade ago, a government-backed surveillance study revealed that 62 percent of Pakistani heritage women in Bradford were in consanguineous relationships. New research shows that this figure has dropped to 46 percent, indicating a notable shift in societal norms and awareness.  

 

This decline coincides with increasing discussions about the risks associated with such unions, particularly congenital anomalies in offspring. Dr. John Wright, chief investigator of the Born in Bradford study, highlighted this change as a “significant shift,” moving from a “majority activity to now being just about a minority activity.” He emphasized that this transition is expected to result in fewer children being born with birth defects.  

 

The Born in Bradford project, which began tracking the prevalence of cousin marriages in the late 2000s, surveyed nearly 12,500 pregnant women and later repeated the study with an additional cohort of 2,400 women between 2016 and 2019. Published last month by Wellcome Open Research, the findings suggest that this trend might extend across the UK, not just Bradford.  

 

Experts attribute the decline to several factors, including increased educational attainment among Pakistani women, stricter immigration laws, and evolving family dynamics. The researchers noted that these changes might signal a generational shift but stressed the importance of continued monitoring to determine if these reductions are part of a broader, lasting trend.  

 

Despite this progress, the issue of cousin marriages remains contentious. Former Conservative minister Richard Holden recently proposed a bill to outlaw the practice, citing its association with heightened risks of birth defects and its potential to perpetuate harmful cultural norms. “People already think it is illegal and then are surprised when you mention it isn’t,” he stated, arguing that now is a “sensible time” to address the issue.  

 

However, this proposal has faced criticism, particularly from Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed, who represents Dewsbury and Batley. Mohamed called for a more nuanced approach, advocating for advanced genetic testing for prospective cousin couples rather than an outright ban. He urged MPs to avoid stigmatizing a practice viewed as “very positive” in some communities, suggesting that a “more positive approach” would yield better outcomes.  

The debate has drawn sharp reactions. Tory justice spokesman Robert Jenrick expressed shock at Mohamed’s stance, labeling cousin marriages as a “revolting practice” linked to birth defects and abusive relationships. Meanwhile, Bradford, where over half of the population in the West constituency is of Pakistani heritage, continues to reflect the broader changes within this community.  

 

While cousin marriages remain legal in the UK, calls for reform and growing awareness about associated risks may lead to further shifts in public opinion and policy. The ongoing debate underscores the delicate balance between cultural sensitivity and public health concerns, as communities navigate evolving norms in a modern context.

 

Based on a report by Daily Mail 2024-12-13

 

 

 

[cowellandrew]

[RichardColeman]

Fine, let them interbreed, but make it known in advance that no NHS money will ever be given or used on the mutant gened offspring. You interbreed you must have private health care insurance for interbreeding with your family

[jippytum]

63% of babies registered in the UK 23/24 where to none British mothers and the most popular babies name 4600 registered with the name Muhammad. 

They might not be marrying their cousins but are prolific breeders non the less

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, cowellandrew said:

Such a law might not receive Royal Assent.

 

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Such a law might not receive Royal Assent.

 

 

 

Such a law might not receive Royal Assent.

[Chomper Higgot]

14 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Such a law might not receive Royal Assent.

That’s the thing with ‘might not’.

 

 

[flyingtlger]

Funny joke:

Why did the inbred husband and wife name their twins, "East and Flower"?

Because Yeast and Flour and both in bread....

[herfiehandbag]

62% was a huge amount, I was aware that marrying cousins was common amongst the Pakistani community, but I was not aware that it was that prevalent.

 

46% is still a disturbing figure, nigh on half of marriages. A result perhaps of arranged marriages ( very young girls)  within extended families. It really is a bit medieval!

 

I'm not a statistician, but I presume that as the practice works it's way through subsequent generations then the gene pool, to put it crudely, becomes more limited and the potential for damaged children becomes greater.

[Bkk Brian]

21 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

That’s the thing with ‘might not’.

Exactly, it can be said in almost any situation, that's why most people don't bother apart from you

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

Exactly, it can be said in almost any situation, that's why most people don't bother apart from you

Maybe the reason for my comment had something to do with the history of first cousin marriage with the British Royal family.

 

A point you might have missed in your urgency to respond.

[lordgrinz]

6 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Maybe the reason for my comment had something to do with the history of first cousin marriage with the British Royal family.

 

A point you might have missed in your urgency to respond.

 

Well, at least they have those nice nifty Habsburg Jaws to show for it.

[Chomper Higgot]

Just now, lordgrinz said:

 

Well, at least they have those nice nifty Habsburg Jaws to show for it.

And a limp.

[roo860]

9 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Maybe the reason for my comment had something to do with the history of first cousin marriage with the British Royal family.

 

A point you might have missed in your urgency to respond.

How many of these marriages resulted in physical deformities and disability?

[Chomper Higgot]

4 minutes ago, roo860 said:

How many of these marriages resulted in physical deformities and disability?

Given the British Royal families history of hiding children with ‘health issues’ from the public, any answer would be a guess:

 

Nevertheless, first cousin marriage within the British Royal family is a historical fact.

 

[roo860]

14 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Given the British Royal families history of hiding children with ‘health issues’ from the public, any answer would be a guess:

 

Nevertheless, first cousin marriage within the British Royal family is a historical fact.

 

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were first cousins. They were the last ones to marry first cousins.

[Bkk Brian]

41 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Maybe the reason for my comment had something to do with the history of first cousin marriage with the British Royal family.

 

A point you might have missed in your urgency to respond.

Nope, I did not but another maybe or might moment from you will I am sure be along shortly.

 

Oh and my response was 3 hours after you posted it so urgency was not really a factor, well maybe not anyway, or it might have been. Oh look, as I said, everyone can do it.....

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

33 minutes ago, roo860 said:

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were first cousins. They were the last ones to marry first cousins.

So I was right, first cousin marriage within the British Royal Family is a thing.

 

This might very well explain why the practice hasn’t already been legislated against.

[roo860]

51 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

So I was right, first cousin marriage within the British Royal Family is a thing.

 

This might very well explain why the practice hasn’t already been legislated against.

I think you mean 'was' a thing, but you already knew that, Pakistani and other Middle Eastern countries, it still 'is' a thing.

[Chomper Higgot]

1 minute ago, roo860 said:

I think you mean 'was' a thing, but you already knew that, Pakistani and other Middle Eastern countries, it still 'is' a thing.

And some parts of the US too.

[john donson]

I was a docu...those inbred children are a life long burder on NHS aka tax payer...

[Nick Carter icp]

6 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Such a law might not receive Royal Assent.

 

 

   Queen Elizbeth didn't marry her first Cousin , Prince Phillip wasn't her first cousin 

 

[scottiejohn]

2 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Queen Elizbeth didn't marry her first Cousin

Queen Victoria was the last UK Monarch to marry a First Cousin, Albert!

I am not sure there were many more such marriages before that one!

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Queen Victoria was the last UK Monarch to marry a First Cousin, Albert!

I am not sure there were many more such marriages before that one!

 

   That was in 1840 , nearly 200 years ago 

[0ffshore360]

2 hours ago, john donson said:

I was a docu...those inbred children are a life long burder on NHS aka tax payer...

You would not be the first to say that about the British Royal family.

[roo860]

9 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Queen Victoria was the last UK Monarch to marry a First Cousin, Albert!

I am not sure there were many more such marriages before that one!

Just one generation prior, Queen Victoria’s uncle, King George IV, married his first cousin Caroline:

 

George IV: George IV was the son of King George III, who was the younger brother of Princess Augusta Frederica. In 1795 

[scottiejohn]

52 minutes ago, roo860 said:

Just one generation prior, Queen Victoria’s uncle, King George IV, married his first cousin Caroline:

 

George IV: George IV was the son of King George III, who was the younger brother of Princess Augusta Frederica. In 1795 

Any more that you know of?

If not it makes a total of 2 such marriages.  There may be more, I am not going looking!

 

It should be remembered that before the industrial revolution most people did not stray far from their village and so first/second cousin marriages were very common.

[Chomper Higgot]

4 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Queen Elizbeth didn't marry her first Cousin , Prince Phillip wasn't her first cousin 

 

I don’t recall ever saying she did

[Nick Carter icp]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I don’t recall ever saying she did

 

  I didn't say that you did say that 

[roo860]

6 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

And some parts of the US too.

The estimate that 0.2 percent of U.S. marriages are between people who are second cousins or closer needs to be treated with plenty of caution. For one thing, 25 states ban marriage between first cousins, and another seven states have restrictions on it.

 

 

In Pakistan apparently is 55 to 60%.