Cecily Zamora
Marrying an in-law is not unheard of, and as long as there is no blood relation, it is legally valid in many places. In the past, marrying an in-law was prohibited in many places, including England, where a list of forbidden marriages was drawn up by the Church of England in 1560 and remained unchanged until the 20th century. However, laws and social norms have since evolved, and it is now possible to marry a brother- or sister-in-law, or the cousin of one's deceased spouse, in many jurisdictions. While it may still be considered taboo or unusual by some, others view it as an opportunity to bring two families closer together and foster new relationships.
Characteristics and values of in-laws marrying each other
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality | In most places, it is legal for in-laws to marry as long as there is no blood relation. |
| Social norms | Marrying an in-law may be considered unusual or taboo by some people, but it is not necessarily seen as weird or wrong by everyone. |
| Religious views | In some religions, such as Catholicism, there are specific rules and interpretations regarding the marriage of in-laws, which may include prohibitions or allowances depending on the specific circumstances. |
| Practical considerations | Marrying an in-law could lead to complex family dynamics and potential conflicts of interest. |
| Emotional aspects | In-laws who spend a lot of time together may develop romantic feelings for each other, and consenting adults should be able to marry if they choose to do so. |
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What You'll Learn
In-laws marrying is legal in some countries/states
Marrying one's in-laws is a complex issue that varies across different countries and legal systems. While it may be culturally taboo in some societies, it is legally permissible under certain conditions in several countries/states. Here is a detailed examination of this topic:
In England and Wales, it is generally legal for co-parents-in-law to marry, even if their respective married children become step-siblings as a result. This scenario creates an interesting loophole where if two widowed individuals, A and B, are dating, and their respective children, C and D, are also dating, it is permissible for C and D to marry first and then for A and B to marry subsequently. However, reversing the order of these marriages is not allowed.
In Canada, a similar scenario is possible, as one spouse's parent can marry the parent of the other spouse, unless prohibited by the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees) Act, S.C. 1990, c. 46. This Act specifies that individuals cannot marry if they are related lineally or as siblings, including by adoption.
In the United States, the legality of in-laws marrying varies by state. While some states may allow it under certain conditions, others may have specific prohibitions in place. It is important to refer to the specific laws and regulations of each state to determine the legality of such marriages.
In the Catholic Church, the concept of affinity, defined in canon 109, plays a crucial role in understanding marriages between in-laws. Affinity arises from a valid marriage and pertains to the relationship between a spouse and the blood relatives of their husband or wife. While affinity in the direct line invalidates marriage, such as between a widow and her father-in-law, there is no prohibition mentioned for affinity in the collateral line, which includes brothers- and sisters-in-law. The current Code of Canon Law allows for marriages between in-laws as long as they are not related by blood.
While the practice of in-laws marrying may be uncommon and raise eyebrows in certain families, it is not inherently illegal in many jurisdictions as long as there is no blood relation between the individuals involved. However, it is essential to consult the specific laws and regulations of the relevant country or state to ensure compliance with any prohibitions or restrictions that may exist.
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Marrying in-laws is allowed in the Catholic Church
Marrying one's in-laws is allowed in the Catholic Church in certain circumstances. According to Canon Law, affinity, or a relationship created by another marriage, is an impediment to marriage. In other words, a man cannot marry his mother-in-law or sister-in-law, and a woman cannot marry her father-in-law or brother-in-law.
However, a dispensation from the impediment of affinity can be granted by the diocesan bishop in certain cases. For example, a widowed man can marry his late brother's wife, or a widow can marry her deceased husband's brother. The bishop will assess the situation and determine whether a dispensation should be granted, taking into account the individual circumstances of the families involved.
The Catholic Church's stance on affinity marriages has evolved over time. In the past, the Church did not consider a Catholic's marriage to a non-Christian as invalid, especially if the marriage occurred before the Catholic's conversion. However, with the growth of the Church, such marriages gradually came to be seen as invalid due to disparitas cultus, or a difference in worship.
Today, the Church recognizes marriages between Catholics and non-Christians as valid if a dispensation from "disparity of cult" is granted, and the couple meets other requirements, such as understanding the nature of Catholic marriage. Marriages in the Catholic Church should ideally be celebrated in a Catholic church and performed by a priest, deacon, or bishop, with two witnesses present.
In summary, while affinity is generally prohibited in the Catholic Church, there are exceptions where a dispensation can be granted by the bishop. The Church takes marriage seriously and has specific laws and requirements in place to ensure a strong foundation for a lasting and harmonious union.
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There are no blood relations between in-laws
Marrying one's in-laws is not unheard of, and as long as there is no blood relation, it is legally permissible. In fact, it is more common than one might think. People who spend a lot of time together often develop feelings for each other. For instance, it is not uncommon for parent-in-laws to get married, and the same goes for brother/sister in-laws.
The Bible also mentions the concept of marrying in-laws. Deuteronomy 25 presents the Levirate Law, which states that a man must marry his brother's widow under certain circumstances. Additionally, the 1917 Code of Canon Law prohibited affinity marriages in the direct line and certain degrees of the collateral line, including brothers- and sisters-in-law. However, the current Code of Canon Law, which replaced the old code in 1983, does not include this restriction.
In terms of legal restrictions, the specific laws regarding marriage between in-laws can vary by location. For example, in Canada, a spouse's parent can marry the other spouse's parent unless prohibited by the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees) Act. Similarly, in England and Wales, it is legal for co-parents-in-law to marry, even if it would make their respective married children step-siblings. However, step-siblings themselves cannot marry in these countries.
While marrying in-laws is not illegal in many places, it may still be considered taboo or unusual by some families and cultures. It could potentially lead to conflicts of interest and complicated family dynamics.
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Affinity is a relationship arising from a valid marriage
Affinity, in law and cultural anthropology, is the kinship relationship that arises from a valid marriage. It is the relationship each party in the marriage has to the family of the other party in the marriage. Affinity is distinct from a blood relationship (consanguinity) in that it is a social or moral construct, sometimes backed by legal consequences.
Affinity arises from a legal marriage between two individuals and extends to the blood relatives of the spouse. This relationship is recognised by law for purposes such as inheritance, custody, and family rights. For example, in the case of Doe v. Roe, a custody battle ensued after the death of a child's mother, Jane. Here, Jane's sister sought custody of the child, which was opposed by the child's father, John (Jane's husband). John's relationship with Jane's sister is considered a relationship by affinity, and his marriage to Jane established the relationship between him and Jane's sister.
The degree of affinity is considered the same as the consanguineal level at which a couple is joined. For instance, the degree of affinity of a husband to his sister-in-law is two, the same as a wife would be to her sister on the basis of consanguinity. The degree to the wife's parent or child is one, to an aunt or niece is three, and to a first cousin is four.
In some countries, the prohibition on sexual relations between persons in an affinity relationship may be expressed in terms of degrees of relationship. For example, in South Africa, sexual relations are prohibited within the first degree of affinity, i.e., where one person is the direct ancestor or descendant of the spouse of the other person. In Hawaii, sexual penetration and marriage are prohibited within close degrees of affinity and are punishable by up to 5 years.
In England and Wales, it is legal for co-parents-in-law to marry, even if this would make their respective married children step-siblings.
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In-laws marrying can create complicated blood relationships
Marrying an in-law is not illegal in many places, as long as there is no blood relation between the individuals involved. However, it can create complicated blood relationships, especially if there are children from the marriages in question.
For example, if a man marries his brother's widow, he becomes his own nephew's stepfather, and his nephew becomes his stepson. This can further complicate family relationships, with the nephew also becoming his own step-uncle. Similarly, a woman marrying her sister's widower would become her own niece's stepmother, and her niece would become her stepdaughter.
In some cultures and religions, there are specific laws and guidelines regarding marriages between in-laws. For instance, in the Catholic Church, canon law prohibits marriages in the direct line of affinity, such as between a mother-in-law and son-in-law or a father-in-law and daughter-in-law. However, marriages in the collateral line, such as between siblings-in-law, are not prohibited.
Historically, there have been various prohibitions on marriages between specific types of in-laws. For example, in England, until 1907, it was forbidden for a man to marry his deceased wife's sister, and such couples had to live together as common-law man and wife. Over time, these laws have evolved, and today, in some places like England and Wales, it is legal for co-parents-in-law to marry, even if it would make their respective married children step-siblings.
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Frequently asked questions
In-laws who are not blood relatives can marry in the Church. However, affinity in any degree of the direct line invalidates marriage. For example, a widow may not marry her father-in-law or son-in-law.
Co-parents-in-law can marry in England and Wales, and Canada. However, if their respective children are married first, the parents cannot marry.
Marrying an in-law is not considered taboo as long as there is no blood relation. However, it may be seen as unusual by some families.
