Re: cousin marriages......
I think forcing your children to marry within the family for your own personal benefit is wrong. From what I understand (please correct me if I'm wrong) in Islam marriage within the family is ok, but is more of a last resort type of thing. It shouldn't be done with the intention of keeping the money within the family, Or creating ideas of marriage with a cousin in your child's head in order to distract them especially if they are already interested in someone. Nowadays women will do anything to stop their son's from getting married. Sadly they have no problem playing mind games with their own, but that is a topic for another thread. Now back to your question I don't think there is anything wrong with marrying anyone that you fall in love with, as long as they are of the opposite sex, and same religion, ect. Being a cousin shouldn't really matter. Think about it this way you will have to spend the rest of your life with your spouse. Choose who you think is best for you, don't worry about what people say. People that like to talk are going to find a reason to talk no matter what, so do what is best for you.