Hopi and Kinship, Essay Example

Introduction

A family is defined as a social institution that is commonly found in the entire society, the family also unites people into ethic groups that are aimed at children upbringing (Douglas 59). Most of the families are formed through kinship system which is defined as social union that involves the relation between blood, and marriages, However in most communities people do define family as people who either legally or illegally decides to stay together. Nuclear family is a small unit that comprises of father, mother and their children. In case of the introduction of other members of the family for instance aunties and uncles then the family changes to extended family.

Kinship is guided by defined norms or rules, all the members of the society are supposed to follow the rules and practice what is right within the society. This indicates that any law breakers are punished depending on the laid down rules. The systems are matrilineal, bilateral or matrilineal, (Mark, 42).Patrilineal descent is a system that deals with the behavior of the male individuals in the society. Finally bilateral descent refers to a kinship system that traces Kinship in both parties either male or female individual.

Conclusion

In conclusion Kinship may in cooperate ideas, gender related issues together with the duties and roles of each individual in the society. Majority of the communities and societies in the entire glob do practice a family system that is regarded as patriarchies. In most families especially in the matrilineal societies men do hold more powers compared to their female counterparts in the entire family and the societies. (Douglas, 59). However other civilized societies do value the issues of gender equality.

Work Cited

Mark, Sutton, Introduction to Native North America: 3rd edition. Pearson Publisher. ISBN: 978–0-205-51087-0.

Douglas, White.Kinship, Networks and Exchange. Amazon Publishers, 2007.