Consanguinity refers to the relationship between individuals who share a common ancestor. This term is often used in genetics and anthropology to describe blood relations, such as siblings, parents, and cousins. The degree of consanguinity can be measured by the number of generations separating individuals from their most recent common ancestor. In many cultures, consanguinity can influence marriage practices and family structures. For example, some societies may encourage cousin marriages to strengthen family ties or preserve wealth. However, higher degrees of consanguinity can increase the risk of genetic disorders due to the likelihood of inheriting similar genetic traits from shared ancestors.