Is there a such thing as third cousins?
Is there a such thing as third cousins?
user
Yes, there is, a “third cousin” is the child of your first cousin’s child, or the child of your second cousin’s child.   For instance, if you have a cousin named Jane and she has a child named Rachel, Rachel is your third cousin.
assistant
Wow. What about fourth cousins?
user
In terms of the actual family relationship, “fourth cousin” is a child of your third cousin’s child.  For example, if Jane had a child named Rachel, and that child had a child named Heather, then Heather would be Rachel’s fourth cousin, since she’s Jane’s granddaughter.
assistant
Is it okay to marry your second cousin?
user
It’s legal in most states, as well as many countries outside the U.S., but it is frowned upon in the U.S.  Because most of the diseases which run in families do not skip generations, it’s unlikely that you’d get any sort of genetic benefit out of your marriage, and since the risk of passing on a genetic disorder is significant, many people prefer to avoid the risk.  Of course, no one is really sure about the risks and benefits of different relationships, since genetic research is in its infancy.
assistant
Oh. Okay.
user