SOCIOLOGY OF WORK AND EMPLOYMENT: TOPIC 5
THE FAMILY; KINSHIP AND DESCENT AS ORGANIZING PRINCIPLES FOR
SOCIAL RELATIONS.
Kinship is a "system of social organization based on real or supposed family
ties. Some sociologists have argued that kinship goes beyond family ties, and
even involves social bonds. According to the anthropologist George Peter
Murdock: Kinship is a structured system of relationships in which kins are
bound to one another by complex interlocking ties.
There are two types of kinship namely;
Those based on blood that trace descent
Those based on marriage, adoption, or other connections
NB: Kinship is the most universal and basic of all human relationships and
is based on ties. It is one of the most important organizing components of society
because it ties individuals and groups together and establishes a relationship among
them.
According to David Murray Schneider, a professor of anthropology, kinship can involve
a relationship between two people who are unrelated by birth or marriage. For instance,
if two people have many similarities between them then both of them do have a bond of
kinship and can assume a relation.
Most social scientists agree that kinship is based on two broad areas: birth and
marriage; others say a third category of kinship involves social ties. There are three
types of kinship namely:
i. Consanguineal: This kinship is based on blood or birth: the relationship between
parents and children as well as siblings. This is the most basic and universal type of
kinship. Also known as a primary kinship, it involves people who are directly
related.
ii. Affinal: This kinship is based on marriage. The relationship between husband and
wife is also considered a basic form of kinship.
iii. Social: Schneider argued that not all kinship derives from blood or marriage
relations. There are also social kinships, where individuals from different
communities may share a bond of kinship through friendship, religious affiliation
or a social group.
Importance of kinship
Kinship is important to a person’s and a community's well-being because different
societies set the rules governing kinship, which are sometimes legally defined or
sometimes implied. Every society looks at the fact that all offspring and children
descend from their parents and that biological relationships exist between parents and
children. Kinship also defines descent, which is used to trace an individual’s ancestry.
Kinship is important in society because it:
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THE FAMILY; KINSHIP AND DESCENT AS ORGANIZING PRINCIPLES FOR
SOCIAL RELATIONS.
Kinship is a "system of social organization based on real or supposed family
ties. Some sociologists have argued that kinship goes beyond family ties, and
even involves social bonds. According to the anthropologist George Peter
Murdock: Kinship is a structured system of relationships in which kins are
bound to one another by complex interlocking ties.
There are two types of kinship namely;
Those based on blood that trace descent
Those based on marriage, adoption, or other connections
NB: Kinship is the most universal and basic of all human relationships and
is based on ties. It is one of the most important organizing components of society
because it ties individuals and groups together and establishes a relationship among
them.
According to David Murray Schneider, a professor of anthropology, kinship can involve
a relationship between two people who are unrelated by birth or marriage. For instance,
if two people have many similarities between them then both of them do have a bond of
kinship and can assume a relation.
Most social scientists agree that kinship is based on two broad areas: birth and
marriage; others say a third category of kinship involves social ties. There are three
types of kinship namely:
i. Consanguineal: This kinship is based on blood or birth: the relationship between
parents and children as well as siblings. This is the most basic and universal type of
kinship. Also known as a primary kinship, it involves people who are directly
related.
ii. Affinal: This kinship is based on marriage. The relationship between husband and
wife is also considered a basic form of kinship.
iii. Social: Schneider argued that not all kinship derives from blood or marriage
relations. There are also social kinships, where individuals from different
communities may share a bond of kinship through friendship, religious affiliation
or a social group.
Importance of kinship
Kinship is important to a person’s and a community's well-being because different
societies set the rules governing kinship, which are sometimes legally defined or
sometimes implied. Every society looks at the fact that all offspring and children
descend from their parents and that biological relationships exist between parents and
children. Kinship also defines descent, which is used to trace an individual’s ancestry.
Kinship is important in society because it:
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