Types of kinship systems | Sociology Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

Human beings are inherently social creatures, and their lives are intricately woven with a web of relationships. These relationships extend beyond mere acquaintances and strangers, encompassing a complex network of family, friends, and neighbors. Among these relationships, a particularly profound bond exists between individuals connected by blood or marriage, collectively referred to as kinship. This article delves into the profound concept of kinship, exploring its meaning, types, degrees, terminologies, and the intriguing customs and usages associated with it.

Meaning of Kinship

Kinship, in its essence, encapsulates the ties that bind individuals together based on either shared bloodlines or marital connections. As succinctly defined by the Dictionary of Anthropology, kinship encompasses socially recognized relationships founded on both perceived and verifiable genealogical connections. These relationships are the products of societal interactions and are acknowledged by the community at large.

Types of Kinship

Kinship manifests in two primary forms: Affinal Kinship and Consanguineous Kinship.

• Affinal Kinship: This category of kinship revolves around the bonds formed through marriage. When an individual enters into matrimony, they not only forge a connection with their spouse but also establish relationships with various members of the spouse's family. Marriage, therefore, gives rise to a plethora of relations. For instance, after marriage, a person becomes not just a husband but also a brother-in-law and son-in-law, to name a few. It's worth noting that English, in particular, employs the term "brother-in-law" to encompass various relations created through marriage, such as bahnoi, sala, jija, and sadahu. Similarly, a girl who ties the knot not only assumes the role of a wife but also becomes a daughter-in-law, chachi, bhabhi, devrani, and jethani, among others. Marriage, in essence, gives rise to a multitude of relationships collectively referred to as affinal kin.
• Consanguineous Kinship: In contrast, consanguineous kinship is centered on blood ties. Relatives in this category are connected through shared biological parentage or lineage. Siblings, for example, are consanguineous kin since they share the same biological parents. However, it's important to note that blood relationships can be both factual and perceived. In some societies, the actual biological father of a child may remain unknown, while an adopted child is regarded as one's own biological offspring. Thus, blood relationships may be established not solely on biological grounds but also through social recognition.

Degrees of Kinship

Kinship can further be categorized based on the proximity or remoteness of relations. There are three main categories:

• Primary Kin: These are the closest and most direct relatives, such as father-son, sister-brother, and husband-wife. Dr. Dubey identifies eight primary kin relationships, including husband-wife, father-son, mother-daughter, father-daughter, mother-son, and younger-elder siblings.
• Secondary Kin: Secondary kin are the primary kin of primary kin. They are not one's direct relatives but are related through one's primary kin. For example, a father's brother (chacha) and a sister's husband (bahnoi) are considered secondary kin.
• Tertiary Kin: Tertiary kin are either the secondary kin of one's primary kin or the primary kin of one's secondary kin. An example of tertiary kin is the wife of a brother-in-law (sala), who is the primary kin of the brother-in-law.

Kinship Terminology

Kinship terms are the words and phrases used to designate various types of kin. These terms can be classified into two systems: Classificatory and Descriptive.

• Classificatory System: In this system, multiple kin relationships are grouped together under a single term. For instance, the term 'uncle' is classificatory since it encompasses various relations such as chacha, mama, mausa, and foofa. This system is found in many languages and cultures.
• Descriptive System: In contrast, the descriptive system assigns a unique term to each specific relationship. For example, 'father' and 'mother' are descriptive terms. In Hindi, terms like chacha, mama, mausa, taoo, sala, bahnoi, nandoi, bhanja, bhatija, bhabhi, and devar are descriptive and explicitly specify the speaker's exact relation.

Kinship Usages

The study of kinship extends beyond mere classification; it also encompasses the examination of behavioral patterns associated with different kin relationships. These behavioral patterns, known as kinship usages, define how individuals should interact with various kin.

• Avoidance: Across societies, the practice of avoidance is observed in various forms. It dictates that certain kin should keep their distance from each other, abstaining not only from sexual relationships but sometimes even from face-to-face contact. For instance, a father-in-law (sasur) should avoid interacting closely with his daughter-in-law. In Hindu families, the purdah system exemplifies the concept of avoidance. Various explanations for avoidance have been proposed, including functionalist explanations emphasizing conflict avoidance and Freudian explanations linking avoidance to institutionalized neurotic symptoms.
• Joking Relationship: This is the antithesis of avoidance, allowing certain relations to tease or make jest of each other. Common examples include the relationship between devar-bhabhi (brother-in-law and sister-in-law) or jija-sali (brother-in-law and sister-in-law). In some cases, this jesting may involve light-hearted banter, while in others, it can escalate to exchange of abuse and vulgar references.
• Teknonymy: Teknonymy involves referring to a kin indirectly through another kin. For instance, in traditional Hindu families, a wife may not directly address her husband but instead calls him through their son or daughter. She refers to him as the father of Guddu or Tunnu.
• Avunclate: This usage is unique to matriarchal systems, where the maternal uncle (mama) assumes a prominent role in the lives of his nephews and nieces. He holds special responsibilities and claims loyalty surpassing that of a father.
• Amitate: In cases where the father's sister holds a special role, it is referred to as amitate. She receives more respect than the mother in these situations.
• Couvade: This unusual practice is found in certain primitive tribes, like the Khasi and the Toda. During childbirth, the husband adopts a role of an invalid, adhering to the same restrictions as his wife. This custom involves both the husband and wife.

Conclusion

Kinship is a complex and multifaceted concept that permeates every aspect of human society. It encompasses diverse relationships based on blood and marriage, each with its own terminology and associated behaviors. Understanding kinship is crucial not only for anthropologists but also for anyone interested in comprehending the intricacies of human social bonds. It serves as a regulator of social life, creating groups and defining appropriate roles within them, ultimately contributing to the cohesion of the social fabric. While kinship customs and usages vary across cultures, they universally underscore the significance of these connections in shaping human societies.