Kinship, Family, and Marriage
Part 1
Unit Learning Objectives
• Differentiate between nuclear & extended families.• Distinguish between family orientation & family
procreation. • Define and differentiate between kinds of descent
groups and postmartial residence rules. • Differentiate between lineages an clans• Differentiate between genealogical kin types and kin
terms. • Demonstrate your understanding of kinship diagrams
through an activity.
Kinship (a.k.a) ‘Basic Building Block of Society’
• Basic principle of organizing individuals into social groups, roles, and categories
• Considerable diversity observed across cultures
Terms of Unit• Descent: principle based on culturally
recognized connections that define social categories to which people belong• Parent-child connection is central
• Descent Group• Group based on belief in shared
ancestry
Terms of UnitUnilineal Descent Patterns: • Matrilineal
• Patrilineal
Terms of Unit• Bilateral Descent
• Relatedness• 1. • Culturally variable
Marriage = Institution • As an institution:• 1.• 2.• 3.• 4.• 5.
Lineages & Clans• Lineage:• ______________
• Clans:• ________________
Common Theme in both:
Apical ancestor
Ancestor – Why?
• Social unity & identity of the members• ___________________________
• Apical ancestor in both lineages & clans• Apex of _______________• Clan ancestors are commonly non-
human _____
Betsileo of Madagascar
• Lineages & Clans• Demonstrated
descent for more recent 8-10 generations; then stipulated
Kinship Distinctions
• Responsible for all 7 listed on page 374
• We will discuss the following in lecture:• Generation• Affinity• Gender of linking relative
Kinship Distinctions
• EGO = ______________________• Generation• ______________________________________
• Affinity• Connection through ____________• Ex: Matrilineal societies – mother’s
sister & father’s sister
Kinship Distinctions
• Gender of linking relative • Distinguishes _______________• Cross cousins • ___________________________________
• Parallel cousins• ____________________________________
Descent Groups & Postmarital Residence Patterns
• Where the majority of newly married couples reside after their marriage
• Why study? Gives rise to various household and family forms
• Cross-cultural research results: 6 common patterns
Common Forms• Patrilocal –_______________________________• ~70% of all societies – predominant
pattern
• Matrilocal – ___________________________• ~13% of all societies – predominant
pattern
Common Forms• Ambilocal – ______________• Bilocal – ____________________• Neolocal – ___________________• Avunculocal – couples live
with the __________________________
Account for ~17% of all societies