Kinship, Definitions, Sociology YouTube Lecture Handouts
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Definitions
- “A social relationship based upon family relatedness.” – Theodor son and Theodor son
- “Kinship is one of the most important organizing components of society. This social institution ties individuals and groups together and establishes a relationship among them.”
- “Kinship is a structured system of relationships in which kins are bound to one another by complex interlocking ties.” - George Peter Murdock
Concept
- Anthropological significance
- Lewis Henry Morgan - Kinship, Systems of Consanguinity and Affinity of the Human Family (1871)
- Rule of incest
- Social recognition of biological ties
- Based on ties of blood, marriage or adoption
- Defines how family relationships form
- How family members interact with one another
- A social group that gives him name, identity, duties, residence, etc.
Types of Kinship
Consanguineous Kinship – bond of blood – family of orientation
- Affinal Kinship – bond of marriage – family of procreation
- Social (By Schneider) – no blood relation – eg. Rotary club- can end relations without legal interference
Degree of Kinship
On the basis of nearness or distance
Primary Kins
- Some relatives are very close and direct
- Legally or socially defined
- Example father-son, husband-wife
Secondary Kins
- Related through primary kin
- 33 secondary kins
- Example Fraternal or Maternal Uncle
Tertiary Kins
- Secondary kins of primary kins
- Eg. Wife՚s brother՚s son
- According to Murdock, 151 tertiary kins of a person.
Classification of Kinship Terms by Morgan
- Classificatory system – various kins are included in one category and all referred to by a single term- primitive society- eg. Uncle
- Descriptive system - one term refers to only one relation – modern society - eg. Chacha, Mama
A. R. Radcliffe Brown
- Kin roles are important not kin terms
- Primary, secondary and tertiary roles
- Culturally defined and designed obligations and roles
- Multiple roles have to be played
- Kinship structure part of social structure
- Adherence to social norms
- Structure of kinship may differ with societies
Functions of Kinship Relations
- Coming together for religious, political, rituals, etc.
- Characterizes relations between kins
- Determines reciprocal behaviour
- Social position
- Kins are bound with one another through inter-locking ties
- System of status and role that governs behaviour of people related to each other
- Rights of inheritance defined
Importance of Kinship
- Rituals, social ceremonies participation
- Lineage or extension or anscestory – unilinear
- Kinship groups can be – Gotra and Vansh
- Help, cooperation, unity and harmony
- Sets guidelines for communication and interactions
- Defines the rights and obligations of the family and marriage
MCQs
Q.1. Consider the following statements:
Assertion (A) : The role of kinship in a large, mobile and heterogeneous society will be significant.
Reason (R) : Kinship is an outdated social institution which is losing its importance.
Options:
(a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: d
Q.2.
Assertion (A) : Kinship data should be empirical and comparative.
Reason (R) : The data can help find out functions of kinship in various societies.
Options:
(a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) If A is true but R is false
(d) If A is false but R is true
Answer: a
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✍ Manishika