First cousins are considered distant relatives, but they are still relatively close in terms of familial relationships. When we talk about first cousins, it means that the closest common ancestor they share is a grandparent. This makes them one generation removed from being siblings. So, while they are not as closely related as siblings, they are still part of the same extended family.
To put it in perspective, let’s consider a hypothetical example. Imagine you have two siblings, John and Mary. John has a child named Alex, and Mary also has a child named Sarah. Since John and Mary are siblings, their children, Alex and Sarah, are first cousins. They share the same grandparents, who are John and Mary’s parents.
Now, let’s go back one more generation. John and Mary’s parents are the grandparents of Alex and Sarah. These grandparents are the closest common ancestors between Alex and Sarah. This is what distinguishes them as first cousins.
In terms of genetic relatedness, first cousins share about 12.5% of their DNA. This is because they inherit half of their DNA from their common grandparents. While this may not seem like a large percentage, it is still significant when compared to more distant relatives.
It is worth noting that the term “distant relatives” can vary depending on cultural, societal, and personal perspectives. Some people may consider first cousins to be relatively close, while others may view them as more distant. However, in genealogical terms, first cousins are not considered immediate family members but are still part of the extended family.
In my personal experience, I have several first cousins with whom I share a close bond. We grew up together, attended family gatherings, and have shared many memorable experiences. While we may not see each other as often as we did in our childhood, the familial connection and shared memories are still strong.
To summarize, first cousins are considered distant relatives in comparison to siblings but are relatively close in the broader context of extended family. They share a set of grandparents as their closest common ancestors and have a significant amount of genetic similarity. However, the perception of closeness may vary among individuals and cultures.