
In societies using matrilineal descent, the social relationship between children and their biological father tends to be different than most people would expect due to the fact that he is not a member of their matrilineal family. Here is another quote from the website showing what is lost. In order to understand social interaction, attitudes, and motivations in most societies, it is essential to know how their kinship systems function.Įssentially, by a narrow focus on the traditional pedigree chart and its implications, we lose all of the family kinship relationships. However, there is a great amount of variability in kinship rules and patterns around the world.

All societies use kinship as a basis for forming social groups and for classifying people.

Kinship refers to the culturally defined relationships between individuals who are commonly thought of as having family ties.
