Why We Are Closer To Cousins From Our Mother's Side

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 2-28-2007 | Roger Highfield

[atomicpossum]

So how does this apply to say, Appalachian marriage?

[donmeaker]

My first ex wife is a cousin from my father's side. Can't get too much closer than that.

[kinoxi]

It's all relative thar.. /s

[cripplecreek]

The cousins on my mothers side are liberals. The cousins on my fathers side are inmates. I grew up running around with my second cousins on my dad's side of the family.

[donmeaker]

You had to ask, didn't you!

[xcamel]

...but not that close....

[oldleft]

[proxy_user]

In ancient Germanic culture, the 'sweoster-sunu' was considered an especially important relationship. Men were supposed to give gifts to their sister's male children, and help introduce them to male culture.

[seowulf]

So how does this apply to say, Appalachian marriage?

I'm the offspring of one of those Appalachian marriages.

My father's brother married my mother's sister, so their children are first-first cousins to me. We are as close as brother and sister, both literally and figuratively, having different parents but the same grandparents.

Cue the proverbial "Deliverance" banjo music...

[bluecollarman]

My mother and father were first cousins. That's why I look so much alike.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

Double cousins

[okiecon]

You are just double cousins, nothing weird about that.

[Zevonismymuse]

My first ex wife is a cousin from my father's side.

I am from Bakersfield as well.

[donmeaker]

Just down the road in Littlerock (CA).

[LaineyDee]

Ummmm. I might be wrong......but doesn't this have more to do with the fact that women are more likely to organize social family gatherings....thus the children would be in more contact with her side of the family than his?

[cripplecreek]

Deliverance music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyKvD-4IxOY

[Radix]

This is a keeper.

I'm getting dizzy almost thinking about the permutations.

What if my mother's sister had a different father and either did not know it?....etc...

[alicewonders]

So how does this apply to say, Appalachian marriage?

I'm Appalachian too. I'm closer to my mother's cousins - because my mother HATED my father's family & from an early age we were told how horrible they all were.

I suspect a mother has a lot more influence in that aspect than a father.

[Rodney King]

Here is a better explanation: Your mother liked to drag you to events at her sister's house on weekends. Your dad preferred to mow the lawn, watch football, and drink beer.

Therefore, you became closer with your maternal cousins.