Kara Sears
In most cultures, a sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the spouse of one's sibling's spouse. In other words, your sister-in-law is your sibling's spouse, and your sibling's spouse's sister is also your sister-in-law. Therefore, your sister-in-law's daughter is your niece, and you cannot marry her. Marrying one's niece is prohibited in most cultures and is considered incestuous. However, in some cultures, such as those practicing Indian English, the daughter of your sister-in-law may be referred to as your co-niece, and marriage between co-nieces and co-uncles is not prohibited.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Relationship | A man's sister-in-law's daughter is his niece |
| Marriage | Marrying one's niece is prohibited in Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha) |
| Marriage (cont'd) | Marrying one's niece is not explicitly prohibited in Catholic doctrine |
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What You'll Learn
Marrying your sister-in-law's daughter is not incest
Marrying your sister-in-law's daughter is not considered incest in most places. While laws regarding incest vary across jurisdictions, incest generally refers to sexual intercourse or marriage between close blood relatives.
In the United States, incest laws differ among states and territories, but all have some form of codified incest prohibition. Generally, incest laws in the US prohibit sexual activity or marriage between lineal ancestors and lineal descendants (such as parents, grandparents, and children or grandchildren), siblings (brother-sister), and some extended family members, such as aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. However, it is important to note that the specific definitions and penalties for incest vary across states. For example, in New York, a person may not marry their brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew, as these relationships are considered incestuous and void. In Ohio, incest between consenting adults is allowed as long as one party is not a parental figure to the other. Similarly, in New Jersey and Rhode Island, incest between consenting adults is not a criminal offense, but marriage is prohibited.
In other parts of the world, incest laws may also extend to non-blood relatives, including step-parents, step-siblings, and in-laws. For instance, in Australia, federal marriage law prohibits marriage between ancestors and descendants, siblings (including half-siblings), and certain extended family members, even if they are related through adoption. In Zimbabwe, most forms of incest are illegal, and the definition includes step-parents and their step-children, siblings, extended family members, and first or second cousins.
Therefore, based on the information provided, marrying your sister-in-law's daughter is not considered incest in most places. However, it is important to note that the laws regarding incest and void marriages can vary based on your specific location, and it is always advisable to consult local laws and legal professionals for accurate and up-to-date information.
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Marriage laws in different religions
Marriage laws vary across different countries and religions. Here is a brief overview of some of the marriage laws within different religions:
Hinduism
In Hinduism, ancient sacred texts like the Vedas do not differentiate between people of different religions regarding interfaith marriages. This is because, at the time of their composition, there were no other known religions in ancient India. However, the Hindu Marriage Act in India stipulates that both the bride and groom must belong to Hinduism or other Dharmic religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Marriages in Hinduism are typically expected to be between individuals of the same varna or caste, with marriages between men of higher birth and women of lower birth being sanctioned, and vice versa being frowned upon.
Islam
Islamic law, or Shariah, governs family law matters in Muslim-majority countries like Egypt. Islamic marriages are recognized as polygynous, allowing for multiple wives, and have specific requirements for marriage and divorce. For instance, there must be a clear proposal and acceptance, competency and free consent of both parties, at least two witnesses, a marriage dowry, and compliance with Islamic law principles. Divorce can be revocable, allowing the husband to return to his wife during a waiting period, or irrevocable.
Christianity
In some countries, Christian marriages are recognized by the state, such as in Kenya and South Africa, albeit with certain mandatory state law requirements. In Lebanon, Christians cannot marry non-Christians in a church unless one partner converts.
Secular/Civil Marriage
Some countries, like France, have a long history of considering marriage solely as a civil contract, independent of religious authorities. Sweden, on the other hand, accommodates religiously celebrated marriages, but individuals seeking marriage must comply with the appropriate civil law. In Lebanon, secular civil marriage is not possible, so couples must follow the religious laws of recognized sects.
Interfaith Marriages
Interfaith marriages are becoming more common in some regions, as indicated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that individuals have the right to marry "without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion." However, interfaith marriages may face challenges, such as social tensions and legal restrictions in certain countries.
Now, to address the specific query, marrying your sister-in-law's daughter is generally prohibited in most societies due to the close familial relationship. While I cannot give a definitive answer without knowing the specific religion and legal context, such a marriage would likely be considered incestuous and illegal in most jurisdictions.
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What is a sibling-in-law?
A sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. In other words, your sibling-in-law is your spouse's sibling. This relationship is also referred to as a brother-in-law or sister-in-law, depending on the gender of the person in question.
The term 'sibling-in-law' also refers to the reciprocal relationship between a person's spouse and their sibling's spouse. In Indian English, this can be referred to as a co-sibling, specifically a co-sister for the wife of one's sibling-in-law, or co-brother for the husband of one's sibling-in-law.
If one pair of siblings is married to another pair of siblings, the siblings-in-law are doubly related, with each of the four people related through their spouse and through their sibling. The children of these couples are double cousins.
A study examining envy in the triadic system of a sibling, sibling-in-law, and spouse found that the sibling-in-law relationship shared similarities with both spousal and sibling relationships. It also found that relational closeness and satisfaction for all relationships in the triad were correlated.
It is important to note that 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.
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Can you marry your brother's wife's sister?
In general, a person is allowed to marry their brother's wife's sister. This is because the brother's wife's sister is not a blood relative or a step-relative. However, some cultures and religions have different views and rules on this.
In the past, the Catholic Church did not allow siblings-in-law to marry, but there may have been some dispensations available. Now, the Church does not consider this an impediment, and such a marriage would be allowed.
In some cultures, it is common for a man to marry his brother's widow, a practice known as levirate marriage. This custom is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, where it is called yibbum, and is encouraged under certain circumstances. Islamic law (sharia) also permits this practice, but it should be treated as a normal marriage with the wife's consent and a mahr.
In other cultures, it may be considered a social taboo for a person to marry their brother's wife's sister, as it could potentially complicate family gatherings and relationships, especially if the couple were to fight or break up.
It is important to consider cultural, religious, and personal factors when contemplating such a marriage. While there may be no legal impediments, it is essential to respect individual boundaries and preferences, as well as any societal norms or traditions that may apply.
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What is affinity in kinship?
In the context of kinship, affinity refers to the relationship between two people created as a result of someone's marriage. It is the connection each party in a marriage has to the family of the other party in the marriage. Affinity, in this context, is distinct from the marital relationship itself.
In law and cultural anthropology, affinity is a social or moral construct that can have legal consequences. It is distinct from blood relationships (consanguinity), which may have genetic consequences. Affinity can also include kinship by adoption or a step relationship. The laws, traditions, and customs relating to affinity vary, sometimes ending with the divorce or death of one of the marriage partners.
In some countries, particularly in the past, prohibited relationships were based on religious laws. Prohibitions on sexual relations between persons in an affinity relationship may be expressed in terms of degrees of relationship. The degree of affinity is considered the same as the consanguineal level a couple was joined. For example, the degree of affinity of a husband to his sister-in-law is two, the same as the wife would have to her sister based on consanguinity.
In sociology, affinity refers to "kinship of spirit", shared interests, and other interpersonal commonalities. It is characterised by high levels of intimacy and sharing, usually in close groups, also known as affinity groups. This differs from affinity in law and Catholic canon law, which generally refer to the marriage relationship.
To answer your question about marrying your sister-in-law's daughter, this would be prohibited as incestuous. A man is prohibited from marrying his sister-in-law's daughter, as she would be his niece by marriage, and this relationship would be within a close degree of affinity.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can marry your sister-in-law's daughter. She is not blood family and is considered a niece "by marriage".
A sister-in-law is the wife of your sibling.
Sisters are related to you by blood, whereas sisters-in-law are related to you by marriage.
Yes, you can marry your sister-in-law. This is because they are not blood relatives. However, this was not always the case. Before 1983, the Church did not allow siblings-in-law to marry.
Yes, in Indian English, the wife of your sibling's spouse is called a "co-sister". In this case, you are related to your "co-sister" by affinity, not blood.
