1. Kinship and Descent Kinship and Descent Part III

2. Kindred A small circle of paternal and maternal relatives. A small circle of paternal and maternal relatives. A kindred is never the same for any two persons except siblings. A kindred is never the same for any two persons except siblings. EGO is the central person from whom the degree of each relationship is traced. EGO is the central person from whom the degree of each relationship is traced.

3. The Kindred Kindred: an individual’s close blood relatives on the maternal and paternal sides of his pr her family. Kindred: an individual’s close blood relatives on the maternal and paternal sides of his pr her family. –Kindreds are not clearly bounded and lack the distinctiveness of the lineage. –Since the kindred is laterally rather than lineally organized (that is, EGO, or the central personal from whom the degree of each relationship is traced, is the center of the group) it is not a true descent group.

4. Kindred Unlike a decent group, the kindred is not self- perpetuating (it ceased with EGO’s death). Unlike a decent group, the kindred is not self- perpetuating (it ceased with EGO’s death). –It has no constant leader, nor can it easily hold, administer, or pass on property. –Because of its vagueness, temporary nature, and changing affiliation, the kindred cannot function as a group except in relations to EGO. –It can, however, be turned to for aid. Kindreds also can regulate marriage through exogamy Kindreds also can regulate marriage through exogamy

5. Question When the membership of a descent group grows too large, ___________ may occur, creating two new, smaller lineages. When the membership of a descent group grows too large, ___________ may occur, creating two new, smaller lineages. A.fusion B.lineal decrease C.fission D.exogamy

6. Answer: C When the membership of a descent group grows too large, fission may occur, creating two new, smaller lineages. When the membership of a descent group grows too large, fission may occur, creating two new, smaller lineages.

7. Question Membership in a __________ is determined not by descent from a common ancestor (as in descent groups) but by the fact that they share a living relative (ego). Membership in a __________ is determined not by descent from a common ancestor (as in descent groups) but by the fact that they share a living relative (ego). A.clan B.lineage C.phratry D.kindred

8. Answer: D Membership in a kindred is determined not by descent from a common ancestor (as in descent groups) but by the fact that they share a living relative (ego). Membership in a kindred is determined not by descent from a common ancestor (as in descent groups) but by the fact that they share a living relative (ego).

9. Clans and Kinship Lineages arise from extended family organization. Lineages arise from extended family organization. –Lineages will develop, and these may with time give rise to clans and ultimately moieties. Another way that clans may arise is as fictive kin groups to politically integrate otherwise autonomous ethnic groups. Another way that clans may arise is as fictive kin groups to politically integrate otherwise autonomous ethnic groups. Over time, economic and social changes may weaken descent groups, or they may persist, due to integrative functions. Over time, economic and social changes may weaken descent groups, or they may persist, due to integrative functions.

10. Kinship Terminologies Kinship terminology is related to the kinds of kinship groups that exist in a society. Kinship terminology is related to the kinds of kinship groups that exist in a society. All terminologies both classify and separate different kinds of individuals, emphasizing sex, generational differences, or genealogical differences. All terminologies both classify and separate different kinds of individuals, emphasizing sex, generational differences, or genealogical differences. Regardless of the factors emphasized, all kinship terminologies accomplish two important tasks. Regardless of the factors emphasized, all kinship terminologies accomplish two important tasks. –First, they classify similar kinds of individuals into single specific categories –Second, they separate different kinds of individuals into distinct categories.

11. Eskimo System Kinship reckoning in which the nuclear family is emphasized by specifically identifying the mother, father, brother, and sister, while lumping together all other relatives into broad categories such as uncle, aunt, and cousins. Kinship reckoning in which the nuclear family is emphasized by specifically identifying the mother, father, brother, and sister, while lumping together all other relatives into broad categories such as uncle, aunt, and cousins. –comparatively rare among all the world’s systems –is used by Euramericans, as well as by a number of food-foraging peoples –Unlike other terminologies it provides separate and distinct terms for the nuclear family members –is referred to as the lineal system

12. Eskimo System

13. Hawaiian System Kinship reckoning in which all relatives of the same sex and generation are referred to by the same term. Kinship reckoning in which all relatives of the same sex and generation are referred to by the same term. –the least complex system, in that it uses the fewest terms –reflects the absence of strong unilineal descent, and members on both the father’s and mother’s side are viewed as more or less equal –is referred to as the generational system

14. Hawaiian System

15. Polynesian societies throughout the Pacific Ocean are traditionally structured conforming to the Hawaiian system of kinship terminology. Polynesian societies throughout the Pacific Ocean are traditionally structured conforming to the Hawaiian system of kinship terminology.

16. Iroquois System Kinship reckoning in which a father and father’s brother are referred to by a single term, as are a mother and mother’s sister, but a father’s sister and mother’s brother are given separate terms. Kinship reckoning in which a father and father’s brother are referred to by a single term, as are a mother and mother’s sister, but a father’s sister and mother’s brother are given separate terms. –parallel cousins are classified with brothers and sisters –cross cousins are classified separately, but not equated with relatives of some other generation –very widespread and is usually found with unilineal descent groups

17. Iroquois System

18. New Reproductive Technologies Kin terms are challenged in the age of new reproductive technologies Kin terms are challenged in the age of new reproductive technologies Beyond transforming our sense of being human, they force us to redefine established ideas about the status of relatives, challenging us to rethink what being ‘related’ to others is about, and specifically, what our rights and obligations are toward such unfamiliar categories of kin. Beyond transforming our sense of being human, they force us to redefine established ideas about the status of relatives, challenging us to rethink what being ‘related’ to others is about, and specifically, what our rights and obligations are toward such unfamiliar categories of kin.