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