FAMILIES, KINSHIP, DESCENTPART II

DESCENT Descent group is a permanent social unit whose members say they have ancestors in

common.

Descent group membership is determined at birth and is lifelong, so it is an ascribed status.

Descent is determined through either the mothers line or fathers line of descent but not both of them.

Most societies will follow the line of the mother.

Apical Ancestor There is one person that stands at the top of the common genealogy.

Adam and Eve example

Abraham Example

All of the above are examples of demonstrated descent

CLANS-STIPULATED DESCENT Clans work differently than

Clans do not necessarily show a line to the Apical Ancestor

Clans just make a claim to that ancestry

LINEAGE, CLANS AND RESIDENCE RULES Clans unlike nuclear families are permanent, enduring units

Clans will then have rules as to where to reside and who lives on the estate

Patrilocality vs matrilocality

Ambilineal descent