(Lesson2) Cultural, Social, and Political Institutions: Kinship, Marriage, and The Household
(Lesson2) Cultural, Social, and Political Institutions: Kinship, Marriage, and The Household
KINSHIP:
Kinship is a social institution that refers to relations formed between members of
society. It explains the nature and reason for the formation of the different types of
bonds that exist within society. Sociologist define kinship as the different forms of
socially accepted relations among people develop though blood or consanguineal
relationships, marriage or affinal relationships, adoptions, and other culturally accepted
rituals.
TYPES OF KINSHIP:
Societies develop kin relationships in different ways. It can be based on birth or
blood relations, marriage, or though the acceptance of rituals.
Kinship by Blood:
Consanguineal kinship or kinship based on blood is considered as the most
basic and general form of relations. The relationship is achieved by birth or blood
affinity. The relationship existing between parents and their children, between siblings,
and between nieces/nephews and aunts/uncles are examples of this type of kinship.
(“In the study of consanguineal” descent is an important key concept. Descent refers to a
biological relationship. Societies recognize that children descend from parents and their
offspring, Descent also often refers to an individual’s child or offspring or his or her
parents and ancestry.)
“Unilineal Descent” (Descent is usually traced by most societies though a single line
of ancestors from either the male and female line. This called as the Unilineal descent
principles.) In this principle of descent, both males and females are members of unilineal
family but their descent lines are recognized only though the relatives of either the male
or female members, Unilineal descent have two basic forms, namely, patrilineal and
matrilineal.
(“Patrilineal form of descent” Both males and females belong to the kin group of their
father but they do not belong to their mother’s kin group.)
(“Matrilineal form of descent” on the other hand, focuses on the unilineal descent that
is traced though the female line. In this form of descent pattern persons are related if
they can trace their descent though females to the same woman ancestor.)
“Bilateral Descent” Some societies trace their descent though the study of both parents
’ancestors. This is called as the nonunlineal or cognatic descent principles. There are
different forms of nonunilineal descent is the bilateral descent. In a bilateral descent
kinship is traced though both ancestral lines of the mother and father.
Kinship by Marriage:
Affinal kinship or kinship based on marriage refers to the type of relations
development when a marriage occurs. (When marriage takes place, new forms of social
relations are developed. The husband forms new relations with his wife and his wife’s
family. In the same manner, the wife also develops new relations with her husband and
with her husband’s family. Moreover. the families of both the husband and wife also
form new social relations with each other.)
Marriage is an important social institution wherein two persons, a man and a woman,
enter into family life. During this process, the partners make a public, official, and
permanent declaration of their union as lifetime couples.
” Article 1 of the Family Code of the Philippines defines marriage this way”
(it is special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in
accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life.)
“Marriage across Culture’s” Different societies have different sets of cultural practices,
norms , and rules pertaining to marriage . Cultures across societies have developed
traditions, customs, rules, and norms that determine how marriage will be done.
*Endogamy and Exogamy:
-Endogamy: This form of marriage is practiced by a number of ethnic groups, religious
groups, and the aristocratic classes. (was also practiced in India until the middle of the
twentieth century.)
-Exogamy: or out-marriage, on the other hand. Refers to a marriage custom where an
individual is required by society’s norms and rules to marry outside of their own group,
community, or social classes. Exogamous marriage prevents incest or marriage within
one’s own family and clan.
*Monogamy and Polygamy:
-monogamy: came from Greek words monos and gamos which literally mean “one
union” It refers to the marriage or sexual partnering customs or practice where an
individual has only one male or female partner or mate.
-polygamy: on the other hand, refers to the practice of having more than one partner or
sexual mate. It can be polygyny (a man has multiple female partners or mates) or
polyandry (a woman has multiple male partners and mates).
Kinship by Rituals:
Compadrazgo, literally translated as “godparent hood,” is a ritualized form of forging
co-parenthood or family. Originating in the medieval catholic church in Europe, this can
be done though the performance of catholic rituals like baptism, confirmation, and
marriage. Though the Compadrazgo set-up. A relationship between the child’s biological
parents, their children, and persons close to the parents but not related blood become a
family.