What is kinship? Discuss the importance of kinship.

by - November 23, 2024

What is kinship? Discuss the importance of kinship.

Define kinship. Discuss the importance of kinship.

Definition and importance of kinship.




Definition / concept of kinship:-


Kinship is a universal issue. The presence of kinship can be observed in every society around the world. Kinship is formed in three ways - based on blood relations, based on marital relations and socially. Among these, kinship is formed between several generations based on blood relations. On the other hand, kinship is also formed between two families based on marital relations.

Kinship is a special kind of relationship. While mentioning the definition of kinship, Robin Fox has mentioned that kinship is a relationship between different individuals that is formed on the basis of blood relations, marital relations and social relations.


Importance of kinship:-


Kinship is one of the most important organizing principles of society. It is one of the oldest and primary institutions found in every society. This institution establishes connections between individuals and groups. Individuals in all societies are bound to each other in various ways. The importance of kinship relations is discussed below.

1. The kinship system maintains unity, harmony and cooperation in relationships.

2. Kinship provides guidelines for communication and interaction between people.

3. Kinship plays an important role in establishing marital relations. Marital relations are established based on kinship relations. It is on the basis of kinship relations that it is decided who can be married and who cannot be married.

4. Kinship controls the behavior of different relatives. Therefore, kinship also plays an important role in socialization and social control.

5. Kinship acts as a watchdog in social life. In rural areas or tribal societies, kinship defines the rights and obligations of the family.

6. Kinship relations help people understand their relationship with each other better. It builds and develops relationships and helps in better relating to each other in society.

7. Kinship sets guidelines for interaction between individuals. It defines the correct, acceptable role relationships between father and daughter, brother and sister, etc.

8. Kinship determines family relationships, clans and lineages.


9. Kinship helps in determining the rights and obligations of members in all rituals and religious practices from birth to death.

10. Kinship system maintains the cohesion of relationships. Kinship prepares guidelines on how to behave in each relationship.

11. In rural and tribal societies, kinship relations determine the rights and obligations of family and marriage, the system of production and political power.

12. Kinship regulates the behavior of different relatives through its various uses. That is, kinship is the regulator of the behavior of the individual.

13. Kinship and its uses create special groups among relatives. For example, a special kind of sense of belonging or group feeling can be observed among cousins, first cousins.

14. Kinship rules regulate roles among relatives. Each member of each family has a specific role. Kinship relationships determine the role of each member of the family.

15. Kinship affects land ownership, the concept of wealth, and the production system and its use. Property inheritance is determined on the basis of kinship.

Finally, kinship is one of the social processes that determines the bonds of relationships and plays an important role in social control. However, various changes have occurred in kinship relationships at present. Changes in kinship relationships also indicate social change.

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