Keith Mack
The definition of a brother-in-law is the brother of one's spouse, the husband of one's sibling, or the husband of one's spouse's sibling. A sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. While there is no technical term for the relationship between a person and their sibling-in-law's sibling, it is commonly referred to as a brother-in-law or sister-in-law. Therefore, a brother-in-law can be considered a sibling-in-law, but a sibling-in-law is not always a brother-in-law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. |
| Other terms | A male sibling-in-law is commonly referred to as a brother-in-law, while a female sibling-in-law is called a sister-in-law. In Indian English, the terms co-sister and co-brother are used. |
| Relationship type | Siblings-in-law are related by affinity, a type of kinship that includes all in-law relationships. They are not related by blood. |
| Children | The children of one's siblings-in-law are referred to as nieces and nephews, with the specification of "by marriage" if needed. |
| Cultural variations | 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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What You'll Learn
Brother-in-law defined
A brother-in-law is a male sibling-in-law, or the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. In other words, it is the husband of one's sibling, the brother of one's spouse, or the husband of one's spouse's sibling. In Indian English, the husband of one's sibling is referred to as a co-brother.
The reciprocal relationship between a person's spouse and their sibling's spouse is also referred to as a sibling-in-law. This means that if one pair of siblings is married to another pair of siblings, the siblings-in-law are related through their spouse and their sibling.
The children of one's siblings-in-law are referred to as nieces and nephews, and if necessary, it can be specified whether they are "by marriage", "by blood", or "by adoption".
It is worth noting that the term "brother-in-law" is commonly used to refer to this relationship, and there is no widely recognised technical term for the brother of one's sibling-in-law. However, some sources suggest that this usage is uncommon and that the brother of one's sibling-in-law is only related to the family through their sibling-in-law and not directly.
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Brother-in-law vs co-brother
A brother-in-law is commonly understood as the brother of one's spouse, the husband of one's sibling, or the husband of one's spouse's sibling. In this context, the term "sibling" refers to a person's brother or sister. Therefore, a brother-in-law is not considered a sibling in the traditional sense, but rather a sibling-in-law. This distinction is important because it clarifies that the relationship is through marriage, or "in-law," rather than a direct blood relation.
In contrast, the term "co-brother" is used in Indian English to refer to the husband of one's sibling-in-law. This term specifically acknowledges the reciprocal nature of the relationship, where the brother-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling, and the co-brother is the spouse of one's spouse's sibling. The use of "co-brother" highlights the equal and mutual nature of the relationship, which is not implied by the term "brother-in-law" alone.
The distinction between brother-in-law and co-brother is important for several reasons. Firstly, it allows for a more precise description of family relationships, especially in complex family structures involving multiple marriages and in-laws. Secondly, it acknowledges the cultural context and variations in terminology across different societies. For example, the term "co-brother" provides a specific label for a relationship that might otherwise be described in a more general or roundabout way.
While the term "co-brother" offers a unique designation, it is worth noting that the usage of the term "brother-in-law" is more prevalent and widely understood. In everyday conversation and in most legal contexts, referring to someone as a brother-in-law is sufficient and commonly accepted. However, in certain situations, such as genealogy, cultural traditions, or specific legal matters, the distinction between brother-in-law and co-brother may become relevant and carry significant weight.
Ultimately, the choice between using brother-in-law or co-brother depends on the context and the level of precision required. While brother-in-law is a widely recognized term, co-brother provides a distinct label for a specific type of relationship. Understanding the nuances of these terms can help navigate complex family dynamics and cultural variations in kinship terminology.
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Are siblings-in-law related by blood?
A sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. In common usage, a sibling-in-law is referred to as a brother-in-law if male and a sister-in-law if female. The term 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.
While siblings-in-law are related by a type of kinship called affinity, like all in-law relationships, they are not related by blood. Similarly, just as the children of one's siblings are called nieces and nephews, the children of one's siblings-in-law are also nieces and nephews, but they are specified as such "by marriage" as opposed to "by blood" or "by adoption" if necessary.
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. However, in Judaism, there was a custom called yibbum, where a man had the non-obligatory duty to marry his deceased brother's childless widow so that she might bear children by him.
In terms of genealogy, the brother of one's sister-in-law is not considered a relation to anyone in the family. While there is no technical term for this relationship, some people may refer to them as a "co-brother-in-law", a term that refers to a male relative of one's generation separated by two degrees of marriage.
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Sexual relations between siblings-in-law
A sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. In most areas, there is no specific term for the relationship between a person and their sibling-in-law's sibling. In this context, a person may refer to their sibling-in-law's sibling as their brother-in-law or sister-in-law.
Now, regarding sexual relations between siblings-in-law, it is essential to understand that laws and cultural norms surrounding incest vary significantly across different jurisdictions and societies. In general, incest refers to sexual relations between closely related family members. While the specific definitions of incest vary, it typically includes sexual relations between ancestors and descendants, siblings, and, in some cases, first cousins and other extended family members.
In many places, incest is illegal, and this includes sexual relations between siblings-in-law. 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 Finland, sexual acts between siblings, ancestors, or descendants are punishable by a fine or up to two years in prison. Similarly, Germany defines illegal incest as vaginal intercourse between lineal ancestors and descendants and between full and half-siblings.
On the other hand, some jurisdictions and cultures take a more permissive approach. For instance, in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, consensual sex between adults is lawful, even among closely related family members. Sweden is the only country that allows marriage between half-siblings, but pre-marriage counseling is mandatory.
It is worth noting that the legality and cultural acceptance of incest vary, and it is influenced by factors such as the specific type of relationship, the age of consent, and cultural or religious traditions. While some societies may stigmatize marriages and sexual relationships between certain types of relatives, others may tolerate or even encourage them.
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Brother-in-law in different languages
A brother-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. In English, the term "brother-in-law" is used, and it is not necessary to specify whether the relationship is by marriage or blood. However, in other languages, there are different ways to refer to this relationship. Here are some examples:
- In French, there is no specific word for a spouse's brother, so they would usually be referred to as a "beau-frère", which literally translates to "beautiful brother".
- In Italian, the terms "cognato" and "cognata" are used, similar to Spanish.
- In Indian English, the terms "co-sister" and "co-brother" are used for the wife of one's brother-in-law and the husband of one's sister-in-law, respectively.
- In German, the terms "zwager" and "schoonzus" are used for a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, respectively.
While the term "brother-in-law" is commonly used and understood in English, it is interesting to explore how other languages and cultures have developed their own unique terms and relationships to describe this specific family dynamic.
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Frequently asked questions
No, a brother-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse.
The reciprocal relationship is referred to as a sibling-in-law.
A male sibling-in-law is referred to as a brother-in-law, while a female sibling-in-law is referred to as a sister-in-law.
No, siblings-in-law are related by a type of kinship called affinity, similar to other in-law relationships.
Your brother's wife's brother is your brother's brother-in-law. However, he is not directly related to you or anyone else in your family.
