ANTH1102 1st EditionLecture 19Outline of Last LectureI. Religion and CultureA. Methods of ChangeB. Problems w/ Defining Religion vs. SecularismII. Kinship, Families, and DescentA. Defining KinshipB. Defining FamiliesC. Defining Descenti. 3 Rulesii. 3 TypesD. Kinship Terminology, Calculation, and Classification Outline of Current LectureI. What is Marriage?II. Marriage SystemsIII. Plural MarriagesIV. Marriage RulesV. Marriage AlliancesVI. Divorce Current LectureMarriage, in almost all societies:- is a culturally approved relationship- transforms the individuals’ status- connects two descent groups- is symbolically marked- implies certain permitted sexual access- establishes legal parenthood- creates joint property- determines labor relations- continues kinship lines- is NOT synonymous with mating-> Marriage is a culturally sanctioned relationship with no procreation required> e.g. Igbo female and female-husband marriage, Neur ghost marriageMarriage Systems- monogamy: one spouse- polygamy: multiple spouses- polygyny: multiple wives> Why polygyny? Equalizes sex ratios, men marrying late in life, economics, political reasons- polyandry: multiple husbands> fraternal polyandry: a woman marries a group of brothers (decreasing competition for heirs of land to create less division and land fragmentation)Marriage Rules- incest taboo: cultural sanctions against sexual relations with a close relative-> is this a cultural universal?> strict patrilineal groups> promotes exogamy- patterns of marriage> exogamy vs. endogamy - exogamy: marriage outside a defined social/kin group- endogamy: marriage inside a defined social/kin group> homogamy: marrying someone of similar background> caste marriage: (extreme) only marrying someone with the same social status> royal marriage: marrying within the blood line or only other royal peopleMarriage Alliances- Marriage is more than a relationship between two individuals- agreements and alliances are made- Wealth exchange between unilineal groups> bridewealth: husband and his family pay bride’s family for loss of a daughter and grandchildren (now belong to husband’s family)> dowry: payment to the groom’s family by the bride’s family-> belongs to the bride and her children inherit itDivorce- uncommon in patrilineal groups (women have great repercussions for doing it, low female gender status)- more common in matrilineal societies (higher gender status for women)- US Society> contradictory social beliefs> bilateral kinship
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