Exam 9: Kinship, Family, and Marriage

Cousins who are children of a father's brother or a mother's sister are considered which type of cousin?

In 2004, the American Anthropological Association (AAA)-the largest association of anthropologists in the United States-issued a statement regarding same-sex marriages and what was then a contentious piece of legislation, the Defense of Marriage Act. What position did the AAA take on same-sex marriages? Did the AAA have research data to substantiate its position? Do you think that professional associations such as the AAA should make formal position statements about issues that are part of a "culture clash"? Why or why not?

Carol Stacks found that poor African American families who lived in the Flats responded to structural poverty and long-term unemployment through:

What does Melanie Medeiros suggest caused the increased rate of divorce in the town of Brogoto, Brazil?

Susan Kahn's research in Israel examined the deep interconnectedness of reproduction kinship, Jewishness, religion, and the state itself. Israel strongly promotes the birth of new children and even subsidizes reproductive technologies in an effort to increase the birth rate. What are two of the challenges in the use of reproductive technologies in this instance? How is the state's so-called stake in the child changed with the use of reproductive technologies?

Ambilineal descent groups such as Samoans, Maori, and Hawaiians are sometimes referred to as what kind of descent groups?

Which of the following terms is defined as the system of meaning and power that cultures create to determine who is related to whom and to define their mutual expectations, rights, and responsibilities?

How families are conceptualized and formed varies across cultural groups. Define and describe the ways in which a family of orientation and a family of procreation differ. How does the concept of a nuclear family fit into these two concepts of family? Why is the concept of a nuclear family more common in the United States and other Western industrialized cultures and societies? What are some examples of other concepts of family found in other cultures throughout the world? What may be some underlying factors that contribute to the diverse ways in which family is conceptualized and formed? How do you think the concept of family may change in the future, and why?

The Nandi of Kenya and the Nuer of Sudan are examples of societies that:

The old song "Love and Marriage" suggests that "you can't have one without the other." As we have seen, however, it is common that a marriage is not based on love but instead on very different things. In your own words, define arranged and companionate marriages, explaining some of the things on which people today are basing marriages. What has changed in the question of love and marriage and why has it changed? What are some of the forces that drive changing marriage patterns and thus the motives-such as love-for getting married in the first place?

How many different primary systems used to classify relatives in the parental generation, including the bifurcate merging system, were identified by early anthropologists?

Where are first-cousin marriages (between the children of two siblings) legally prohibited?

For most individuals in descent groups in the United States, their relationship is based on consanguinity. What is the basis of this consanguineal relationship?

Arranged marriages that are orchestrated by the families of the bride and groom are common in many cultural groups in Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. Although arranged marriage is not the primary form of marriage in the United States, it does exist. Anthropologists would argue that arranged marriages actually do occur more frequently when marriages that are arranged in subtle and implicit ways are considered. What are three examples of subtle, arranged marriages that occur in the United States that may not necessarily be overtly called "arranged marriages"? Why do you think these types of marriages occur? How do these types of marriage compare to companionate marriages?

Which of the following types of marriage specifically involves the marital union of one woman to two or more men?

Ayako grew up with many brothers and sisters, but she and her husband currently have no children. What would you call her family unit that had many siblings?

What is true about the incest taboo forbidding sexual relations with close relatives such as siblings and parents?

The Nuer practice patrilineal descent. Through whom do boys inherit membership in the descent group?

What do anthropologists call descent groups based on a claim to a founding ancestor but lacking genealogical documentation?

Anthropologists have clearly demonstrated that kinship is not solely given at birth via biological connections or through marriage alliances but can be acquired through other means. What are three other ways in which kinship can be acquired? What are the benefits of being able to acquire kinship outside of biological relations and marriage? Provide at least two examples of ways of acquiring kinship in the United States and in your own home community.