Why do people 'keep it in the family'?

not everyone does that. my friend married his first cousin without knowing it, and they had three kids, and those kids are not defected in the least bit, their three of the brightest kids you’ll ever meet

They must be from the south and think it’s no big deal.

It’s not very common where I live but a lot of Americans do and I think it’s wrong. I know people say “you can’t change who you love” but come on, it’s your cousin! Get ahold of yourself! Did you know it’s legal in more US states to marry your first cousin than a member of the opposite sex? Disgusting.

Yes I think so too. Its also legal in all of Europe, Canada, and Mexico to marry your first cousins. I mean, why would you want to do that?! It’s your family, its just not right.

As others pointed pointed out 1st cousin marriage is legal everywhere except some US states. Even states where it is illegal recognize 1st cousin marriages from other states so worst case 1st cousins who wish to marry have to take a road trip. FDR, Darwin, and Einstein all married 1st cousins, It is the custom in many parts of the world to keep wealth in families. It’s estimated that historically That 80% of marriages have been between cousins