Matrilineal Kinship

Definition

Matrilineal kinship is a system of family and social organization in which descent and inheritance are traced through the female line. This means that an individual's family relationships and social status are determined by their mother's lineage rather than their father's.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In a matrilineal kinship system, children belong to their mother's clan or lineage, and inheritance and property are passed down through the female line.
2. Matrilineal societies often have a strong emphasis on the role of the mother and the importance of the maternal line in shaping an individual's identity and social standing.
3. Matrilineal kinship is common in some indigenous cultures, such as the Mosuo people of China and the Minangkabau people of Indonesia.
4. Matrilineal systems can have implications for marriage practices, as they may influence the decision of where a married couple will reside and who will have authority over the household.
5. The transition from a matrilineal to a patrilineal kinship system can be influenced by factors such as colonization, economic changes, and the adoption of new religious or political ideologies.

Review Questions

• Explain how matrilineal kinship differs from patrilineal kinship in terms of descent and inheritance.
  • In a matrilineal kinship system, an individual's family relationships and social status are determined by their mother's lineage, rather than their father's. This means that descent and inheritance are traced through the female line, rather than the male line as in a patrilineal system. Children belong to their mother's clan or lineage, and inheritance and property are passed down through the female line. This contrasts with patrilineal systems, where descent and inheritance are traced through the father's lineage, and children belong to their father's clan or family.
• Describe the potential implications of a matrilineal kinship system on marriage practices and household dynamics.
  • In a matrilineal kinship system, the decision of where a married couple will reside can be influenced by the importance placed on the maternal line. Matrilocal residence, where the married couple lives with or near the wife's family, is common in some matrilineal societies. This can give the wife's family, particularly the mother, a significant degree of authority and influence over the household. Additionally, the emphasis on the maternal line in matrilineal systems can shape marriage practices, such as the role of the bride's family in the decision-making process and the distribution of resources and responsibilities within the household.
• Analyze the potential factors that can contribute to the transition from a matrilineal to a patrilineal kinship system.
  • The transition from a matrilineal to a patrilineal kinship system can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as colonization, economic changes, and the adoption of new religious or political ideologies. Colonization by patriarchal societies can introduce new social structures and power dynamics that undermine traditional matrilineal systems. Economic changes, such as the shift from subsistence-based to market-oriented economies, can also lead to a greater emphasis on patrilineal inheritance and control over resources. Furthermore, the adoption of new religious or political ideologies, such as patriarchal forms of Christianity or Islam, can contribute to the erosion of matrilineal kinship structures and the establishment of patrilineal norms. The complex interplay of these factors can drive the transition from a matrilineal to a patrilineal kinship system over time.

Related terms

Matriarchy: A social system in which the mother or the female head of the household is the primary authority figure and holds the most power and influence.

Matrilocal: A residential pattern in which a married couple lives with or near the wife's family or in the wife's ancestral home.

Descent: The line of ancestry or lineage that an individual belongs to, which determines their social status and inheritance.