Cecily Zamora
In general, a sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one’s spouse. More commonly, a sibling-in-law is referred to as a brother-in-law for a male or a sister-in-law for a female. In Indian English, the wife of one's sibling-in-law is referred to as a co-sister, and the husband of one's sibling-in-law is referred to as a co-brother. The children of one's siblings-in-law are called nieces and nephews, and if necessary, it is specified whether they are related by marriage, by blood, or by adoption. While some cultures and religions have different rules and restrictions, in most cases, it is not prohibited to marry one's sister-in-law's daughter.
Can I marry my sister-in-law's daughter?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Allowed by law | Yes |
| Allowed by religion | Depends on the religion |
| Social taboo | No |
| Social complications | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- Marriage between siblings-in-law was prohibited by the Church before 1983
- In Islamic and Jewish law, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are forbidden as incestuous
- The children of one's siblings-in-law are called nieces and nephews
- A woman may not marry her brother-in-law according to prohibited degrees
- Marrying a sister-in-law is not considered a social taboo by some cultures
Marriage between siblings-in-law was prohibited by the Church before 1983
The concept of "sibling-in-law" refers to the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. In simpler terms, it is a relationship between a person's spouse and their sibling's spouse. This type of kinship is called affinity, and it is distinct from blood relationships. While the specific laws and cultural norms surrounding marriage vary across societies, the topic of marrying a sibling-in-law has sparked interest, particularly regarding the historical prohibitions imposed by the Church.
Before delving into the historical context, it is worth noting that, in the present day, marrying one's sibling-in-law is generally not prohibited by civil laws in most countries. However, the situation becomes more nuanced when religious beliefs and doctrines are considered.
Historically, the Western Church, later known as the Roman Catholic Church, played a significant role in shaping marriage norms in Europe. From the Middle Ages to 1500 AD, the Church began to institute bans on marriages between cousins, step-relatives, in-laws, and even godparents. This period marked a shift in family structures and the psychologies of members, with the Church's strict policies standing out compared to other cultural norms worldwide.
Specifically, before 1983, the Church prohibited marriages between siblings-in-law. This restriction was part of the old Code of Canon Law, which considered affinity as an impediment to marriage. Affinity, in this context, refers to relationships formed through marriage rather than blood. The 1917 Code of Canon Law went even further, including not only brothers- and sisters-in-law but also first cousins as prohibited relationships.
However, in 1983, the Church abrogated the old code, and the laws within it no longer applied. The current Code of Canon Law does not prohibit marriages between siblings-in-law. This change occurred because the marriage impediment of affinity is not considered a matter of divine law, and the Church lacks the authority to alter laws believed to be received directly from God, such as the prohibition on marrying one's own sibling.
In conclusion, while the Church previously prohibited marriages between siblings-in-law, this restriction was lifted in 1983 with the update to the Code of Canon Law. Today, there is no religious or civil impediment in most countries to marrying one's sister-in-law's daughter, as long as the individuals involved are not related by blood or adoption.
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In Islamic and Jewish law, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are forbidden as incestuous
In Jewish law, incestuous relationships are forbidden, and this includes sexual relations with one's wife's sister, as outlined in Leviticus 18:18. This prohibition is extended to the wife's sister during the wife's lifetime, even if the wife has since passed away or been divorced. While Jewish law does not explicitly mention the wife's niece, it is implied that this relationship would be forbidden as well, given the broader context of incest prohibitions.
Additionally, in both Islamic and Jewish law, there are further restrictions on sexual relations and marriage beyond what is biologically related. For example, in Judaism, there are prohibitions on marrying a widow of a brother, as well as restrictions on kohanim (Israelite priests) marrying certain women, including those who have had forbidden sexual relationships. While lesbianism is not explicitly addressed in the Torah, it has been prohibited by rabbinic law as an extension of the "activities of (ancient) Egypt."
Islamic law, or Sharia, also places restrictions on marriage beyond biological relations. For example, a man is forbidden from marrying his foster mother or foster sister, even if there is no biological relationship. These additional prohibitions in both Islamic and Jewish law demonstrate a broader cultural and religious context that goes beyond biological incest.
In summary, both Islamic and Jewish law strictly forbid incestuous relationships, including sexual relations between siblings-in-law. These laws are derived from religious texts and interpretations, such as the Quran in Islam and the Torah and Leviticus in Judaism, and are further shaped by cultural norms and local laws.
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The children of one's siblings-in-law are called nieces and nephews
A sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. This reciprocal relationship is a type of kinship called affinity, which is a relation that is not by blood. The more common terms for male and female siblings-in-law are brother-in-law and sister-in-law, respectively. In Indian English, the spouse of one's sibling-in-law is called a co-sibling, specifically a co-sister or co-brother.
Relatives through marriage are generally known as "affines" or "in-laws", and only the closest relationships have a specific term. In English, the terms cousin, in-law, and “half” or “step” relations are often sources of confusion as they can correctly be used for several different relationships. For example, sibling can refer to an individual with whom one shares one or both parents. If only one parent is shared, the relationship is modified with "half", as in "half-sibling".
In summary, the children of one's siblings-in-law are called nieces and nephews, and this relationship is specified as "by marriage" if it is not by blood or adoption.
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A woman may not marry her brother-in-law according to prohibited degrees
In the context of in-laws, a person's sister-in-law is the wife of their sibling, and the sister-in-law's daughter is, therefore, their niece. Marrying one's niece is prohibited in many cultures and legal systems.
Prohibited Degrees of Relationship
The Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Act 1986 in the UK prohibits marriages between certain relatives by affinity. This includes a man and his sister-in-law's daughter, as well as other relationships such as direct ancestors or descendants, and siblings.
Religious Prohibitions
In Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha), sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous. In Judaism, there was a custom of yibbum, where a man had a non-obligatory duty to wed his deceased brother's childless widow.
Other Cultures
In Imperial China, marriage between first cousins was generally accepted, but marrying the child of one's paternal uncle was strictly prohibited as it was seen as a marriage between siblings. Roman civil law prohibited marriages within four degrees of consanguinity, which was calculated by counting up from one prospective partner to the common ancestor, and then down to the other prospective partner. The Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church have a long history of marital prohibitions, initially following Roman civil law until the 9th century when the number of prohibited degrees was increased to seven.
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Marrying a sister-in-law is not considered a social taboo by some cultures
Marrying one's sister-in-law is not considered a social taboo in some cultures. While laws regarding incest vary across jurisdictions, some cultures have traditionally practiced marriages between siblings-in-law without viewing it as socially unacceptable.
In certain cultures, the term sibling-in-law refers to the spouse of one's sibling or the spouse of one's sibling's spouse. In other words, it is the reciprocal relationship between a person's spouse and their sibling's spouse. For example, in Indian English, the wife of one's sibling-in-law is referred to as a "co-sister," indicating that they are not blood relatives.
It is important to distinguish between relationships by blood and those formed through marriage. While incest laws typically prohibit sexual relations and marriages between close blood relatives, such as parents, children, siblings, and grandparents, the definition of incest does not usually extend to relationships formed solely through marriage.
In some cultures, the children of one's siblings-in-law are referred to as nieces and nephews, similar to the children of one's siblings. This further emphasizes the distinction between relationships by blood and those formed through marriage.
Historically, some cultures even had customs that encouraged marriages between siblings-in-law. For instance, in Judaism, there was the custom of yibbum, where a man had a non-obligatory duty to marry his deceased brother's childless widow. However, it is essential to note that Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha) generally prohibit sexual relations between siblings-in-law as incestuous unless the spouse is no longer married.
While marrying a sister-in-law may not be a social taboo in some cultures, it is always advisable to consider the broader impact on family dynamics and seek open communication with family members to navigate these relationships successfully.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot marry your sister-in-law's daughter. However, in some cultures, it is acceptable to marry your sister-in-law.
A sister-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse.
In Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha), sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous unless the spouse is no longer married.
Yes, in Indian English, the wife of one's sibling-in-law is referred to as a "co-sister".
Yes, you can marry your brother-in-law's sister as you are not related by blood.
