: Elvis Presley famously starred in the 1964 musical film Kissin' Cousins , where the title track lightheartedly suggests that a "distant cousin" is fair game for romance.
: In the 19th-century U.S., a shift began as medical and religious authorities began associating cousin marriage with "idiocy" and genetic defects. This led to many states enacting bans that remain today; 30 states currently prohibit first-cousin marriage. Kissin' Cousins
The "kissing cousin" trope is a staple in storytelling, often used for comedic or dramatic effect. : Elvis Presley famously starred in the 1964
While the "inbred" stereotype is common in media, scientific research offers a more nuanced view of the risks. The "kissing cousin" trope is a staple in
: For first cousins, the risk increases to roughly 6%. While this is a doubling of the baseline, some researchers argue it is not as high as public stigma suggests.