Turkish Health Ministry: Avoid marrying kin, behave ‘softly on first night’

Meltem Özgenç ANKARA

Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, who has a reputation for giving unsolicited advice to the public, marries a couple. A Health Ministry notice has urged newly-wed couples to 'behave softly and understandingly to each other during the first intercourse.' AA Photo

A notice from the Health Ministry on “Consultancy before Marriage” has highlighted that one out of every five marriages are among kin.The recently released document also includes sexual advice for couples, especially for the “first night.”“Consanguineous marriage is mostly among first-degree relatives, increasing the number of rare genetic diseases,” it said.“This matter is noteworthy. Those who are married to kin and those who carry genetic diseases should consult a health institution before gestation.”Couples should remain loyal to each other, the notice said, praising monogamy to avoid sexual diseases, saying changing sexual partners frequently, having more than one partner, having relations with sex workers or those who have relations with such people or having sex for money, goods, food or medicine would increase the risk of illness.The notice also included advice for the “first night,” as it said “both sides should behave softly and understandingly to each other during the first intercourse, as they were set to newly recognize each other’s bodies and were not aware of the reactions.”Parties should receive approval from the other side in sexual behavior, it said, adding no “oppression” would be welcomed.“They [should] be loyal. They [should] care about the pleasure of their spouse. They [should] protect their spouse from physical and spiritual harm. They [should] protect each other from sexual diseases and unintended pregnancy,” it said, adding both sides should be respectful in their behaviors.