Descent

Definition

Descent refers to the lineage or ancestral relationship between individuals or groups, tracing one's family origins and kinship ties. It is a fundamental concept in the study of kinship and the definition of family and household structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Descent can be traced through either the paternal (father's) or maternal (mother's) lineage, resulting in patrilineal or matrilineal descent systems.
2. Descent is a key factor in determining inheritance, property rights, and social status within a kinship-based society.
3. The way descent is reckoned can have significant implications for family structure, household composition, and the roles and responsibilities of family members.
4. Bilateral descent, where both the paternal and maternal lineages are recognized, is common in many contemporary societies.
5. Descent systems can also be classified as unilineal, where only one lineage (either paternal or maternal) is emphasized, or cognatic, where both lineages are equally recognized.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of descent is central to the understanding of kinship in anthropology.
  • Descent is a fundamental aspect of kinship, as it establishes the ancestral relationships and lineages that connect individuals within a family or broader social group. The way descent is traced, whether through the paternal or maternal line, or in a bilateral manner, has significant implications for the structure and dynamics of kinship systems. Descent determines inheritance, property rights, and social status, and is a key factor in defining family and household compositions.
• Analyze the different types of descent systems and their impact on the definition of family and household.
  • Descent systems can be classified as patrilineal, where descent is traced through the father's line, matrilineal, where descent is traced through the mother's line, or bilateral, where both the paternal and maternal lineages are recognized. These different systems of descent can lead to distinct family and household structures. For example, in a patrilineal system, the household may be organized around the male head of the family and inheritance may be passed down through the male line. In a matrilineal system, the household may be centered around the female line, and inheritance and social status may be determined by the mother's lineage. Bilateral descent systems often result in more fluid and flexible family and household compositions, where both the paternal and maternal kin networks are considered equally important.
• Evaluate the role of descent in shaping the cultural and social norms within a kinship-based society.
  • The way descent is reckoned within a society can have far-reaching implications for the cultural and social norms that govern kinship relationships and family structures. Descent systems can influence the division of labor, the allocation of resources and decision-making power, the rules of marriage and inheritance, and the overall social status and roles of individuals within the kinship network. In a patrilineal society, for instance, the male line may hold more authority and control over family assets, while in a matrilineal system, the female line may have a more prominent role in the household and community. These descent-based norms and expectations can shape the very fabric of a kinship-based society, affecting everything from religious practices and political structures to gender roles and social hierarchies.

Related terms

Lineage: A lineage is a series of ancestors and descendants connected by blood or adoption, tracing a person's ancestral line.

Kinship: Kinship refers to the network of social relationships based on blood, marriage, or adoption that connect individuals within a family or broader social group.

Genealogy: Genealogy is the study of family histories and the tracing of one's ancestral lines, often through the use of family trees and other historical records.