Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why have some societies viewed cross-cousins as preferred marriage partners?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

consanguinity (Left) Absence of inbreeding: horizontal lines connect mates, vertical lines connect parents with their child; (right) an inbreeding loop: horizontal bar at top of loop connects brother and sister, all other lines and bars as above

In many societies, the preference for cross-cousin marriage—the union between the child of one’s mother’s brother or father’s sister—serves as a strategic social mechanism. Rather than being driven solely by personal affection, these unions are often utilized to strengthen alliances between clans and consolidate social ties.1

While some cultures view such marriages as ideal or even obligatory, they are often contrasted with parallel-cousin marriages, which are frequently prohibited by incest taboos because parallel cousins are often considered part of the same immediate family unit. By marrying a cross-cousin, families can foster external connections while maintaining social order.12

It is important to note that even in societies where such marriages are ideologically preferred, the actual frequency of these unions may remain low due to practical factors such as local customs regarding inheritance, residence, and succession. Ultimately, these practices reflect a society's broader efforts to manage kinship, property, and political stability through established marriage patterns.134