Kara Sears
In general, siblings-in-law are not related by blood, and in most places, it is not prohibited for them to get married. 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. In Judaism, there was a custom called yibbum, where a man had a non-obligatory duty to marry his deceased brother's childless widow. While it may be considered unusual by some, it is not uncommon, and people who spend a lot of time together may fall in love and want to get married.
Can siblings-in-law get married?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality | Legal in most places, but prohibited in Islamic and Jewish law |
| Social perception | Considered unusual by some, but not taboo |
| Conditions | Both parties must be consenting adults, not blood-related, and meet the legal requirements for marriage |
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What You'll Learn
Siblings-in-law are not blood relatives
In general, it is not illegal for siblings-in-law to marry, as long as they are not already related by blood or marriage. Siblings-in-law are not considered blood relatives, and therefore, their marriage is not considered incest. However, it is worth noting that cultural and religious beliefs may impact the perception of such marriages. For example, 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. In contrast, in Judaism, there was a custom called "yibbum," where a man had the non-obligatory duty to marry his deceased brother's childless widow.
In some countries, familial marriage laws exist to prevent reproduction between genetic siblings, as it can lead to children with genetic diseases. These laws do not typically apply to relationships between siblings-in-law, as they are not directly related by blood. However, it is important to note that specific locations may have their own laws and cultural norms regarding such marriages.
In the United States, for example, there do not appear to be specific laws prohibiting the marriage of co-parents-in-law or co-siblings-in-law. However, if the siblings-in-law in question are already step-siblings, the law may prevent their marriage to avoid an indirectly incestuous relationship. This scenario is exemplified in the popular TV show "How I Met Your Mother," where the married characters Marshall and Lily discover that their respective parents are dating.
While the law may permit marriages between siblings-in-law in many cases, it is essential to consider the potential social implications. Some families and cultures may view such marriages as unusual or taboo, leading to raised eyebrows and potential conflicts of interest within the family. However, as long as all parties involved are consenting adults who can communicate respectfully and honestly, there is nothing inherently wrong with these relationships.
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It's not uncommon for siblings-in-law to marry
Additionally, there are instances where siblings-in-law are already married to each other before their parents' marriage, which is not prohibited by law. This scenario creates a loophole where the marriage is not considered incestuous in and of itself but implies an indirectly incestuous relationship between the parents.
It's important to note that while these relationships may be uncommon, they are not illegal as long as there is no blood relation involved. Siblings-in-law are related by affinity, a type of kinship that includes all in-law relationships, which means they are not directly related by blood. This distinction is essential in defining the legality of such marriages.
Furthermore, in some cultures, there are specific customs surrounding siblings-in-law marriages. For example, in Judaism, there was a custom called yibbum, where a man had the non-obligatory duty to marry his deceased brother's childless widow. However, in Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha), sexual relations between siblings-in-law are generally prohibited as incestuous unless the spouse is no longer married.
While marrying a sibling-in-law may raise eyebrows in some families due to cultural norms and expectations, it is not inherently wrong or illegal as long as there is no blood relation involved.
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It's not illegal to marry a sister-in-law's younger brother
Marrying a sister-in-law's younger brother is not illegal. In fact, it is more common than one might think. People who spend a lot of time together often end up falling for each other. While marrying a sister-in-law's younger brother is not prohibited by law, there are a few conditions that need to be met before the marriage can take place. Firstly, you need to be of legal marrying age, which is 18 years old in most places, or have parental permission if you are below this age. Secondly, you should not be presently married to someone else. Lastly, you and your prospective partner should be mentally competent, meaning neither of you should be under a guardianship due to a developmental disability.
It is important to note that while this type of marriage is not prohibited by law, it may be considered socially unusual or taboo by some families and cultures. For example, 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. On the other hand, in Judaism, there was a custom called "yibbum", where a man had a non-obligatory duty to marry his deceased brother's childless widow so that she may have progeny by him.
In summary, as long as you meet the legal requirements for marriage in your specific location and are aware of any cultural or familial taboos, there is no legal prohibition against marrying your sister-in-law's younger brother.
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In some cultures, it's customary for a man to marry his deceased brother's widow
In some cultures, it is customary for a man to marry his deceased brother's widow, a practice known as "levirate marriage". The term "levirate" is derived from the Latin word "levir", meaning "husband's brother". This type of marriage has been practiced by societies with a strong clan structure where marriage outside the clan is forbidden. It has been observed in various parts of the world, including Africa, Central Asia, and Indonesia.
In the past, many African societies were patriarchal, and when a husband died, his brother or another male relative was expected to take over as the new head of the household. This often led to the practice of widow inheritance, where the brother or male relative would marry the widow. This tradition was prevalent among several tribes and ethnic groups, including the Yoruba in Nigeria, the Bagwere of Uganda, the Luo in Kenya, and the Dinka in South Sudan.
Levirate marriage can serve as a form of protection for the widow and her children, ensuring they have a male provider and protector in societies where women are dependent on men. It can also help keep wealth within the family and prevent widows from marrying outside the clan. However, it is important to note that while Islamic law (Sharia) does not explicitly prohibit a man from marrying his brother's widow, it emphasizes the need for the wife's consent and a mahr if such a marriage were to take place.
The practice of levirate marriage is not limited to Africa and has been observed in other parts of the world as well. For example, it was a custom among the Northeastern Caucasus Huns until the 7th century CE, and it was also practiced in Scythia and Central Asia during World War II. In Indonesia, among the Karo people of North Sumatra, polygyny is permitted, and levirate marriage has been recorded.
While the practice of a man marrying his deceased brother's widow may be customary in some cultures, it is important to note that the legality of such marriages may vary depending on the laws and regulations of specific countries or regions.
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In some religions, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited
Marrying one's sibling-in-law is generally legal, as long as there is no blood relation. In the United States, each state and territory has some form of codified incest prohibition, which usually includes sexual activity between lineal ancestors and lineal descendants, siblings, and aunts and uncles with their nephews and nieces. However, the specific statutes vary across states. For example, Rhode Island has repealed its criminal incest statute and only criminalizes incestuous marriage, while Ohio only "targets parental figures."
In the Catholic Church, marrying one's sibling-in-law was forbidden until 1983 due to the concept of "affinity," which creates a bond between people through the sacrament of marriage. However, as long as there is no blood or step-family relation, there is no longer any impediment to such marriages in the Church.
In other countries, the legality of incest varies. For example, in Germany, Albania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia, Poland, Norway, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Cyprus, incest is prohibited. Meanwhile, Belarus, Belgium, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, France, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and Portugal allow consensual incest between adults. Austria prohibits incest between lineal ancestors and descendants and between full siblings, with punishments of up to three years in prison. Finland also punishes sexual acts between siblings, ancestors, or descendants with fines or up to two years in prison, but minors who engage in such acts are exempt from punishment.
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Frequently asked questions
In general, there is no prohibition against siblings-in-law getting married, as long as there is no blood relation. In the US, as long as you are of legal marrying age (18), not presently married to someone else, and are mentally competent, you can marry your sibling-in-law. However, 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.
The letter of the law prevents marriage if they are already step-siblings, but does not prevent them from becoming step-siblings by their widowed parents' marriage.
It is more common than you think. People who spend a lot of time together often fall for each other.
