Question

5.


Although the U.S. kinship system seems limited by comparison to India’s, many argue that it is more important than most of us think. Can you think of ways this might be true? To sum up, how do your parents influence your dating decisions?

350 words with conclusion in 4th paragraph.

reference:Family and Kinship in Village India

by McCurdy, David W., et al. 2012. Conformity and Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology, 14th Edition. Boston: Pearson Education (C&C)

Answer 1

It is true that the range of U.S. kinship system is narrow and limited by comparison to India’s kinship system but it hasn't lost it's relevance and importance. US kinship system is marked by conjugal family units, bilateral descent, monogamy, refigured relations and importance of kindered. Kinship ties do not play any significant role in determining political, educational or economic status of a person.

However the kinship as a social institution occupies a unique place in every society because it performs some important social functions which involve the following:

1) Kinship system in every society including US culture, plays central role in determining socialization of individuals.

2) The fundamentals of US culture find their expression in kinship system. Kinship system plays an important role in transmission of dominant cultural values of society.

3) Kinship system is an important organizing principle of social life.

4) Kinship system assigns guidelines and standards of interaction and conduct.

5) Kinship system determines marital ties.

6) Kinship system defines the rights and duties of its members

The social functions of kinship system fundamental for maintenance of social and cultural order and stability of any society.