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Identify kinship and explain how it is a sociocultural construction. Identify the importance of kinship in anthropology. Restate the important early works in the anthropological study of kinship. Distinguish between terms of reference and terms of address. Social scientists commonly refer to social norms and behaviors—for example, as explored ...
The volume brings together work from some of the most knowledgeable scholars in the field who, in consolidating their research thus far, map the state of the art and reveal not only the workings of kinship in an interconnected world, but also how it cannot be isolated from other pressing social and political questions of our time.'
- Kinship: An Overview
- Kinship Systems Around The World
- The Influence of Kinship on Societal Structure
- Conclusion
- References
Definition of Kinship
In the broadest sense, kinship can be defined as the recognition of relationships between individuals based on descent (real or imagined) and marriage (Holy, 1996). It involves the study of lineages and family units, delineating the cultural and societal rules that govern the interpersonal dynamics within these groups.
The Basis of Kinship
There are primarily three bases of kinship: 1. Blood Relation (Consanguinity): This refers to kinship through shared genetic heritage, such as parents and children, siblings, and extended relatives (nephews, nieces, cousins, etc.). 2. Marriage (Affinity): This form of kinship is based on marriage bonds, extending to spouses and their families. 3. Adoption (Fictive Kinship): This involves individuals who are not biologically related or related by marriage, but are still considered family due t...
Kinship systems can vary vastly across different cultures, reflecting unique societal structures, norms, and values. Let’s take a look at some examples:
Kinship systems can shape societal structures in profound ways. 1. Marriage Rules: In many societies, kinship determines who one can and cannot marry. For instance, in some cultures, cross-cousin marriage is encouraged, while parallel cousin marriage is considered incestuous. 2. Inheritance and Succession: Kinship can influence the division of prop...
Kinship is more than just a record of who is related to whom. It is a complex and dynamic system that encapsulates human relationships and interactions, shaping societal structures and informing cultural norms and traditions. As such, it is a fascinating and critical field of study in anthropology, sociology, and related disciplines.
Holy, L. (1996). Anthropological Perspectives on Kinship. London: Pluto Press.Ingold, T. (2011). The Perception of the Environment: Essays on Livelihood, Dwelling, and Skill. London: Routledge.Keesing, R. M. (1981). Cultural Anthropology: A Contemporary Perspective. Holt, Rinehart and Winston.Kroeber, A. L. (1909). Classificatory Systems of Relationship. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, 39, 77-84.The study of kinship is central to anthropology. It provides deep insights into human relationships and alliances, including those who can and cannot marry, mechanisms that are used to create families, and even the ways social and economic resources are dispersed within a group.
May 18, 2021 · Definition. Kinship networks can be defined as a group of interconnected social relationships among people who are considered to be “kin,” or family, which may be established through biology, adoption, marriage, partnership, or other close social relationships (Lukacs 2011 ).
- christine_mair@umbc.edu
A broad and inclusive definition of kinship runs counter to a long tradition in kinship studies that is the product of Western history and philosophy in which “what kinship is” is precisely defined against what it is not, and in which biology has a defining role.
A family can be defined as two or more people in an adaptable social and economic alliance that involves kinship, whether perceived through blood, marriage, or other permanent or semipermanent arrangement. It frequently, but not always, involves reproduction and the care of offspring and coresidence within the same locale.
