Marriage And Kinship Case Study

Questions:

1) Throughout the world societies view marriage and kinship systems from different vantage points. Depending on their government, religion, social interactions, as well as economic circumstances, these factors all play essential roles in how they define marriage and family. Universally, society puts in place rules that govern sexual access between males and females (Nanda, Warms, 2017, p.221). As a result, these rules help to organize labor, distribute individual rights, administer social positions between generations, and relegate how these relationships interact with each other. Often it is because of these external sources that are responsible for determining what type of marriage or family system is deemed acceptable among a

For instance, bride service is a type of marriage found in foraging societies. The husband is forced to work for his wife’s family for an expected amount of time in exchange for his right to marry (Nanda, Warms, 2017, p. 228). Another type of marriage is known as bridewealth, where goods are passed back and forth between the groom’s kin and the bride’s kin to solidify the marriage (Nanda, Warms, 2017, p. 228). Although, Dowry is not as popular as bridewealth, there is still an exchange of goods between families (Nanda, Warms, 2017, p.228). Dowry is widely practiced in India and represents a kind of compensation to the groom’s family for the “economic burden” of taking care of his wife (Nanda, Warms, 2017, p. 228). These three examples of marriage correlate with how the economy and financial security play major roles behind the customs that surround the

Sex, for example, refers to the biology of being a male or female (Nanda, Warms, 2017, p.247). On a cellular level there is a definite difference in these two humans, not to mention, structurally as well, a female is built completely different than a man. On average, a female is smaller than a male with a different pelvic structure. Cellular wise, a female DNA sequence is different than a male along with the obvious hormone contrast. So, sex, signifies chemical and structural differences in being a male or female. However, gender refers to the social, cultural, and psychological design that can predetermine the role a person is going to play within their society (Nanda, Warms, 2017, p. 247). This is where anthropology can intercede on behalf of the people who are often forced into these roles even if they do not fit. Culture does relegate the differences between a male and female as well what rules they must adhere to (Nanda, Warms, 2017, p.247). For instance, an industrialized capitalist society, the economy might depend on a male’s participation more, since they typically have a stronger stature. Therefore, as a result, a female might look weaker or not as important, since, their participation in that type of society is not usually seen within its profit margin. These types of gender roles usually reflect the class system and how individuals rate