What is descent theory kinship?

Thus, British social anthropologists explored the ways in which kinship provided a basis for forming the kinds of groups—discrete, bounded, and linked to a particular territory—that were seen as necessary for a stable political order. Their explanations of these mechanisms became known as the descent theory of kinship.

What are kinship relations and descent groups?

The pattern of culturally recognized relationships between family members. A kinship group created through the paternal line (fathers and their children). A kinship group created through the maternal line (mothers and their children). Descent is recognized through only one line or side of the family.

What is descent rule?

Rules of descent are jural principles for assigning individuals to units of kinship that are wider than the nuclear family and whose members are related by consanguineal ties: ties of… A LARGER SIGNIFICANCE OF RULES OF DESCENT. A LARGER SIGNIFICANCE OF RULES OF DESCENT (pp.

What is patrilineal and matrilineal?

Patrilineal , or agnatic, relatives are identified by tracing descent exclusively through males from a founding male ancestor. Matrilineal , or uterine, relatives are identified by tracing descent exclusively through females from a founding female ancestor.

What is descent and inheritance?

Descent is the hereditary derivation or lineage of an individual. Descent comprises socially recognized links between individuals in different generations within a family through several generations. There are a number of general patterns of descent around the world.

What is descent and its types?

There are three types of unilateral descent: patrilineal, which follows the father’s line only; matrilineal, which follows the mother’s side only; and ambilineal, which follows either the father’s only or the mother’s side only, depending on the situation.

What is a descent group?

any social group, such as a clan, phratry, or sept, in which membership depends on real or supposed descent from a common ancestor. The group may be defined by unilateral descent (as in a patriarchy or matriarchy) or bilateral descent. See also kinship network.

What is considered descent?

descent, the system of acknowledged social parentage, which varies from society to society, whereby a person may claim kinship ties with another.