Anthropology: Kinship and Marriage

Study Notes

Kinship refers to relationships based on blood or marriage.
Societies define kinship by determining the social importance of different kin, classifying kin types, and setting expectations for behavior between them.
Fictive kinship involves relationships not based on blood or marriage.
Consanguineal kinship is based on bloodline.
Affinal kinship is based on marriage.

Descent refers to a group where membership relies on common ancestry, real or mythical.
Unilineal descent groups can be traced through either the patrilineal line (patrilineage) or the matrilineal line (matrilineage).
Cognatic descent groups include all descendants of an ancestor, regardless of male or female linkage.

Marriage is an institution that formally integrates men and women into family life.
It defines rights, duties, and privileges for spouses, children, relatives, and society.
Marriage begins officially with a ceremony, like a wedding or holy matrimony.
It involves a contract, either written or traditional, outlining the partners' responsibilities to each other, children, and relatives.
Sociologically, marriage is a partnership formalized by religious or civil ceremonies.
Marriage can be viewed from both religious and legal perspectives.

Marriage is a contract entered into by a man and a woman who pledge to live together, fulfilling duties to each other and the community.

Individuals are allowed to remarry after the death of a spouse or divorce, but they cannot have multiple spouses at the same time.

Ritual kinship, like godparenthood, strengthens and extends kinship bonds.
Parents select godparents for their child at baptism, confirmation, and marriage.
Godparents become co-parents, linked to the biological parents.
The most important godparents are chosen at baptism, with careful consideration given to their character and standing in the community.
Ideally, godparents are a married couple, providing stability and a potential home for the child if needed.
Parents often choose close relatives to serve as godparents, reinforcing kinship ties.
The same godparents can serve for multiple children in a family, further strengthening bonds between families.
Godparents are expected to contribute to their godchild's upbringing if necessary.
Co-parents must treat each other with respect and offer mutual support.