Consanguineous Marriages in Contemporary Muslim Communities: An assessment of Socio-Cultural Determinants

Abstract

Consanguineous marriages, defined as unions between individuals biologically related as second cousins or closer (Hussain & Bittles, 1998), remain a significant yet evolving practice in many global communities, particularly among Muslims. While historical data from India’s National Family Health Survey (NFHS 1992–93) indicated that 22% of marriages among surveyed women were consanguineous, contemporary socio-cultural dynamics necessitate a re-examination of their prevalence and determinants. This essay analyzes the shifting relevance of religious, economic, and cultural rationales for consanguineous marriages, drawing on mixed-methods data from Muslim communities in Delhi (2016) and recent scholarship. Findings reveal declining preference for such unions, challenges to traditional justifications like economic benefit, and persistent parental authority in marital decisions. The study underscores the tension between entrenched kinship structures and modernizing influences in shaping marriage practices.