Organization in Society

Kinship Ties and Social Networks: Kinship by Blood

Objectives
At the end of the lesson you should be able to:

 define kinship and social network,

 explain the Filipino concept of kinship,

 discuss the concepts surrounding kinship by blood and descent, and

 trace your own ancestry by blood up to the third degree.

 How can you be sure that blood relates you to your ancestors?

 How do you draw the line between descent and ancestry?

Find out the answers in this lesson!

Learn about it!

We do not live alone in society. From birth until death, we are surrounded by many
people. Most of these people are our relatives, friends, and neighbors, while some are
strangers. We are bound to all individuals who are related to us either by blood or by
descent.

Kinship Ties and Social Networks

The relations based on blood may be close or distant. The bond of blood which binds
people together in a group is called kinship.

 According to the Dictionary of Anthropology, kinship system involves socially

recognized relationships based on supposed and actual genealogical bonds.
These relationships are products of social interactions and are recognized by
society.

 In a broader sense, kinship can refer both to the patterns of social relationships
themselves and to the study of the patterns of social relationships in one or more
human cultures.
  Kinship or relationship can also refer to a principle by which people or groups of
individuals are organized into roles, social groups, categories, and genealogy
through kinship terminologies.

 On the other hand, a social network is a social structure made up of a set of

social actors (individuals or organizations), sets of a partner or dyadic ties, and
other social interactions between actors. It represents relationships and flows
between people, groups, and organizations.

The Filipino Concept of Kinship

 According to F. Landa Jocano, "Kinship characterizes the overall framework of
community relations as it enables Filipinos to map their relationships and be able
to work together harmoniously. It lies deep in the heart of every Filipino as it
forms the core of the Filipino social organization. It significantly influences the
formation, structure, and functions of institutions, relationships, and values of the
Filipinos."

 There is no generic Filipino term for kinship as each language group in the
country created its terminology, but the term kamag-anak or magkakamag-anak,
from the Tagalog-based language, is widely used.

 Kinship helps Filipino people in understanding their relationships with others and
be able to interact with each other with little or without any difficulty.

Kinship by Blood or Consanguineous Kinship

 The bond of blood is called consanguineous kinship. The consanguineous kin
is related through blood. The relationship between the parents and their kids, and
that among siblings, is consanguineous kinship.

 Thus, son and daughter, brother and sister, uncle and aunt, nephew and niece,
and cousins are consanguineous kin, that is, related through blood. With this
connection, it can be pointed out that blood bond may be actual as well as
supposed.

 In polyandrous tribes, the real father of a child is unknown. An adopted child is

treated as if it were one's own biological child. As a result, blood relationship may
be established not only on biological basis but also by social recognition.

Genogram

 A genogram is a graphical representation of one's family and its members'

relationship to one another.
 It is widely used in medicine, sociology, and genealogy to determine medical,
psychological, sociological, or historical patterns of health and behavior.
Below are the basic symbols used in making a genogram. You should know, however,
that more symbols are available to use for more complicated family relationships.

In making a genogram, make sure to note the following:

 children must be drawn from oldest to youngest and from left to right,
respectively,
 one level or layer presents one generation, and
  the shapes corresponding to family members always represent sex, not gender.

Descent System
 A descent group is any social group wherein membership depends on a
common descent from a real or mythical ancestor. This system of acknowledged
social parentage, which varies per society, is where a person may claim kinship
ties with another.

 If there is no limitation on the recognition of kinship, everybody would be kin to

everyone else. But in most societies, some restrictions are imposed on the
perception of common ancestry so that an individual regards many of his
associates as not his kin.

 The importance of descent comes from its use as a means for one person to
assert rights, privileges, duties, and status with another person who may be
related to the first, either because one is an ancestor of the other or because the
two acknowledge common ancestors.

 Descent has limited influence when rights to succession, inheritance, or

residence follow kinship lines.

One method of limiting the recognition of kinship is to emphasize relationships through

one parent only. Such is called a unilineal kinship system. There are two types of this
system−patrilineal systems, in which relationships reckoned through the father are
emphasized, and matrilineal systems, in which relationships reckoned through the
mother are emphasized.
In a bilateral descent, all descendants of an ancestor enjoy membership of a common
descent group by any combination of male or female linkages.

See it!
A friend of your family visited your house and noticed that you have several medals and
trophies displayed in the living room. She exclaimed, "You have a very smart child!"

In what other way do your parents reaffirm your relation to them aside from using the
expression, "Nasa dugo eh" or "It runs in the blood"?

Try it!
Make a genogram of your family. Try to look over the net for more genogram symbols
that may describe any unique relationship within your family (e.g. engaged but not
married couple, adopted children, twins).
What do you think?
Have family and kinship always meant the same thing throughout history? Justify your
answer.

Keypoints
 Kinship can refer both to the patterns of social relationships themselves and to
the study of the patterns of social relationships in one or more human cultures.

 A social network is a social structure composed of a set of social actors

(individuals or organizations), sets of a partner or dyadic ties, and other social
interactions between actors.

 The bond of blood is called consanguineous kinship. The consanguineous kin

is related through blood.

 There is no generic Filipino term for kinship as each language group in the
country created its terminology but the term kamag-anak or magkakamag-anak,
from the Tagalog-based language, is widely used.

 A descent group is any social group wherein membership depends on a

common descent from a real or mythical ancestor.

 There are different descent kinship systems, such as unilineal (with two main
types—patrilineal and matrilineal) and bilateral kinships.

Kinship Ties and Social Networks: Kinship by Marriage

Objective
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to define and explain the different concepts
of marriage and discuss how marriage becomes the formation of kinship ties and social
networks.

 What types of networks are formed through marriage?

 What are the different kinds of marriages and what causes their formation?

 What factors are to be considered for the residency of newlyweds?

Find out the answers in this lesson!

Learn about it!

Kinship by Marriage
 Marriage is a formal and legal union of two people as partners in life. It is the
universal social institution that promotes procreation and establishes the bonds
that are the basis of the household, family, and kinship system.

 Marriage is a legally recognized social contract between two people, traditionally

based on a sexual relationship, and implying a permanence of the union. The
statuses the spouses acquire go through from institution to companionship that
may endure and sustain in their life cycle (Burgess and Locke, 1945). They play
complementary roles to meet their material, sexual, emotional, psychological,
and spiritual needs for their survival.

 Marriage gives the offspring a position in society as he or she may be

categorized as a legitimate son or daughter. It establishes continuing
connections between the kin of each party. It is always symbolically marked in
some way, usually a public ceremony.

Cross-cultural Marriage
A cross-cultural marriage is a marriage between two people from different cultures.

How does this happen? As they say, "Love is blind." It does not care about race, color,
or culture. We see more and more marriages of people from different cultures
nowadays.

In marrying a person from the same country, distinct differences in family life, values,
educational attainment, ideas, and ways of living already exist. By comparison, marrying
a person from a different country has even more differences.

Examples:

 A traditional Ifugao man is married to a liberated Catholic woman.

 A Japanese woman is married to an English man.

In a cross-cultural marriage, it is important to respect your spouse's native culture and

deal with your differences in a loving manner.

Here are some tips for avoiding challenges in cross-cultural marriage/relationships:

 embrace the opportunity,

  understand, respect, and compromise,

 get first-hand experience of each other's cultures,

 pass on both cultures to your children,

 think positively about your differences,

 maintain contact with family, and

 when possible, travel together.

Monogamy vs. Polygamy

By the number of spouses, a marriage can either be a monogamy or polygamy.

Post-marital Residency Rules

After marriage comes a new chapter in a couple's lives. One of the primary concerns
couples usually are faced with is where to live. Kinship system, economic concerns, and
personal factors are among the determining factors for residency among newlyweds.
Although not a cultural certainty especially in this modern age, newly married couples
opt to live with existing households than establish their own. Now, comes the
question: Whose family is favored or culturally prescribed?

Explore!
What are the personal and societal functions of marriage?
How does marriage extend one’s social networks?

Try it!
Find a newly-wed couple and ask them a few questions based on the lesson. Using the
table below and the ideas acquired from your interview, write the common problems and
possible solutions of a married life. 

What do you think?

Which type of marriage is culturally significant or accepted in our society?
In your observations, which type of residency is usually practiced? Which is a practical
choice for you?

Keypoints
 Kinship can refer both to the patterns of social relationships themselves and to
the study of the patterns of social relationships in one or more human cultures.

 A social network is a social structure comprised of individuals joined by a

particular pattern of links or relations.

 Marriage is a formal and legal union of a man and a woman as partners in life.
  Cross-cultural marriage is a marriage between two people from different
cultures.

 Monogamy is a wedding between two individuals at a time.

 Polygamy is a common practice among Muslims. It is being married to many

spouses at a time.

 Post-marital residency or residence rules are rules or arrangements couples

usually consider following their wedding.

Kinship Ties and Social Networks: Kinship by Ritual

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

 explain the different concepts of kinship by ritual,

 discuss how relationship by ritual works as a social network, and

 recognize the importance of ritual kinship in society.

 What advantages does ritual kinship give to society?

 What goals of society are achieved through the realization of targets of a ritual
relationship?

Find out the answers in this lesson!

Kinship by Ritual
Anthropologist and ethnographers sometimes call kinship by ritual as fictive kinship. The
word means "fake" or "created by imagination." This type of kinship is not false, but it is
just that in this type of kinship, relationships among individuals are based neither on
blood ties nor by marriage.

 Kinship by ritual refers to relationships among individuals who recognize their

associations and obligations despite the absence of blood or marriage bonds.
Fictive kinship may tie people together in ties of affection, concern, obligation,
and responsibility. Examples include adopted or surrogate families, brotherhood,
sororities, or peer groups.
  Kinship by ritual function is used in fictive kinship links for non-kinship purposes.
Members of a brotherhood or fraternity consider each other as brothers despite
the absence of blood relations among them. Such act naturally builds a
harmonious relationship between them.

Look at the table below to know about some examples of ritual kinship.

Importance and Functions of Ritual Kinship in Society

Kinship by ritual is an essential social network for it is where a good relationship is built
and strengthened. It has positive contributions for shaping our old and new society.
Kinship by ritual, in its various forms, serve many functions in the community. It
reinforces affinity or relationships within society by providing a framework for social
interaction. Defined by acts of sharing and support, it testifies "friends as family."

Below are specific functions of the different types of ritual kinship.

Explore!
What makes kinship by ritual necessary in society?
Will society remain functional without the existence of ritual kinship?

Try it!
Give three examples of ritual kinship. Identify them according to type. Provide a brief
description of each.

What do you think?

Which is more important or necessary in the society: kinship by marriage or kinship by
ritual? Explain your answer.

Keypoints
 Kinship tie is a framework from which harmonious relationships within society
are built.

 A social network is a social structure comprised of individuals joined by a

particular pattern of links or relations.
  Kinship by ritual refers to relationships among people who recognize their
associations and obligations despite the absence of blood or marriage bonds.

 Compadrazgo is a religious rite of sponsorship in church ceremonies, such as

marriage, baptism, or confirmation.

 Blood brotherhood is a sociological custom where two biologically unrelated

persons or groups establish a close relationship through a variety of ceremonies
and methods of blood-letting.

 Adoption is the process wherein a non-kin is incorporated into the kin group
either traditionally or legally.

Kinship Ties and Social Networks: Family and the Household

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

 trace kinship ties within the concept of family and household,

 differentiate family and household, and
 identify one’s type of family and household.

 What is a family?
 What is a household?
 How is family related to kinship ties and social networks?

Find out the answers in this lesson!

Learn about it!

Kinship and Family Dynamics
Kinship are social relationships derived from universal experiences of mating, birth,
and nurturance. Kinship means being related to others. Being related to other people is
something that is defined by culture and not necessarily determined by biological
relations.

A family is a socially recognized group, strengthened by the concept of kinship, where

people are connected by blood, marriage, or adoption, and where a caring relationship
mainly occurs. Although kin group and family are not one and the same, the family is
actually one of the strongest kinship ties in our society.

The family has a very important role in society.

 It forms an emotional connection among people and serves as an economic unit

of society.
 It is considered as the basic building block of society.
 It is the institution mostly responsible for the “achievement of adult satisfaction
and social integration.” (Ross and Sawhill, 1975)
 It is also responsible for the distribution of economic resources from those who
earn them in the marketplace to those who are dependent on those earnings.
(Ross and Sawhill, 1975)

Learn about it!

Functions of Family
The family as a form of kinship serves very important functions in society.

 It is the smallest unit that cooperates in production and distribution.

 It enables and promotes socialization processes for the youth.
 It creates alliances with other family units.
 It regulates sexual behavior.
 It provides care and protection.
 It is the foundation of social placement and social status.
 It gives emotional support and affection.

Types or Forms of Family

A family can be classified based on birth, marriage, nature of residence, ancestry, size,
or nature of relations.

On the Basis of Birth

 family of orientation–the family into which a person is born and in which early
socialization takes place
 family of procreation–the family that is formed through marriage and by having
or adopting children.

On the Basis of Marriage

 polygynous family–a type of family consisting of one husband, and more than
one wife, and all the children born to all wives or adopted by each of them.; It is
based on polygynous marriage.
  polyandrous family–a type of family consisting of one wife and more than one
husband, and the children, either born or adopted by each one of them; It is
based on polyandrous marriage.
 monogamous family–the family consists of one husband and wife, including
children, and is based on monogamous marriage

On the Basis of the Nature of Residence

 family of matrilocal residence–a type of family where the wife remains in her
mother’s household after reaching maturity and brings her husband to live with
her family after marriage
 family of patrilocal residence–a type of family where the husband remains in
his father’s household while his wife leaves her family to move in with him
 family of changing residence– a type of family where the family stays in the
husband’s house for some time, and moves to wife’s house, stays there for a
period of time, and then moves back to the husband’s parents or starts living in
another place

On the Basis of Ancestry or Descent

 matrilineal family–a type of family where the ancestry or descent is traced

through the female line or through the mother’s side
 patrilineal family–a type of family in which the authority is carried down the male
line, and descent is traced through the male line or the father’s side

On the basis of size or structure

 nuclear or the single-unit family–a type of family consisting of a husband, a

wife, and children (unmarried), naturally-conceived or adopted; It is the nucleus
of family structures. It is more or less an autonomous unit that is not under the
control of adults or elders of the family. It consists of two generations only. The
adoptation of children legally happen through an adoption process where the
legal responsibilities and privileges of being a parent or parents are transferred
from the biological parents to adoptive parents.
 joint or extended family–a type of family that consists of three generations
living together under the same roof, and sharing the same kitchen or economic
expenses; It consists of three nuclear families living together. In this setup, aunts,
uncles, and grandparents may live in a family of parents and their children.
 reconstituted or blended family–a type of family that is formed out of another
relationship, otherwise known as a step-family

On the Basis of the Nature of Relations

 conjugal family–a type of family made up of adults among whom sexual

relationships exist; It refers to a family system of spouses and their dependent
 children. The emphasis is placed on the marital relationship that exists between
spouses.
 consanguine family–a type of family where blood relation exists, or those who
are consanguineal kin (e.g. a family consisting of parents and children, or
siblings)

Kinship and Household Dynamics

A household is a residential unit or dwelling that carries out economic production and
consumption that coordinates work, inheritance, child rearing, and provision of shelter. It
is important to note that family and household are not one and the same.

A household may be made up of a person, or persons, who lives in a shared space or

dwelling. A household can be a family household or a non-family household. It would
mean that persons living in a household maybe related or unrelated.

Example of a non-family household: Two friends living in the same condominium unit
are considered a household.

There are different kinds of households:

 nuclear household–a domestic group that contains one adult couple that may or
may not have children,
 extended–a domestic group that contains more than one adult married couple,
and
 single-person or single-parent–a domestic group that is composed of one adult
person that may or may not have children living with him or her.

Explore!

 How is the concept of family related to the concept of kinship?

 How do you identify your type of family and household?

Try it!
Try and trace your family kinship ties through proper agencies or online research. See
how far you can trace your family's roots.

What do you think?

Compare and contrast nuclear and extended families and households. What are the
advantages and disadvantages?
Keypoints

 A family is a socially recognized group that is strengthened by the concept of

kinship where people are connected by blood, marriage, or adoption.

 A household is a residential unit or dwelling that carries out economic

production and consumption that coordinates work, inheritance, child rearing,
and provision of shelter.
 Family and household are not one and the same. A household may be a family
household or non-family household. It would mean that the people living in a
household may be related or unrelated.
 A household can be classified as a nuclear, extended, or single-person
household.

Kinship Ties and Social Networks: Politics of Kinship

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

 explain the concept of politics of kinship,

 discuss how politics of kinship affect the functions of society to people, and

 recognize the existence of issues arising from the politics of kinship.

  What caused the existence of politics of kinship?

 Is politics of kinship an advantage or disadvantage?

 How does the politics of kinship affect society?

Find out the answers in this lesson!

Kinship Ties and Social Networks

 Kinship is a system of a culture of recognized family roles and relationships that
define the rights, obligations, and boundaries of the interactions of members of a
self-recognizing group.

 Kinship and family ties may be determined by genetic relationships, adoption, or

other ritualized behaviors such as marriage and household economies.

 Kinship systems range in size from a single, nuclear family to tribal or inter-tribal
relationships.

 A social network is a social structure comprised of individuals joined by a

particular pattern of links or relations. Social networks are indicative of a person
or an organization's relations, membership, links, and connections. It is
noteworthy that these systems serve a role in the attainment of societal goals.

 Through networks serving as media for the spread and exchange of ideas,
people get connected, get updated, and become aware. Aside from that, social
networks act as social support systems which provide people with information
and guidance in times of need.

Politics of Kinship
 The idea that "blood is thicker than water” and similar concepts apply to politics.
Kinship is the primary source of political support and action in small or even
bigger societies.

 Kinship alliances are naturally formed and traditionally remain a power bearer
that dominates Filipino culture.

 An explanation for this phenomenon would be the family orientation of the

Filipinos. For some reason, the obligation to one's kinship group compels one to
prioritize his or her family before the rest of society. This, from time immemorial,
has generated issues in power allocation in our community.

 Topics include political dynasty, padrino system, and the use of political power to

build business empires or personal gains.
Concepts of Power in Filipino Kinship Politics
Ideally, merit is the top qualification for any position of consideration, particularly in
politics. Certain circumstances resulting from the interplay of Filipino values, family, and
power have influenced codes of honor on selection processes.

Here's a list of some of Filipino values which have affected the way we make decisions
and view power.

Issues Concerning the Politics of Kinship

Kinship means family, which could mean the “world” to some people. Without a doubt,
we place the family first on our list of priorities, and there is nothing wrong with that, as
long as you do not put public interest at stake.
Here is a list of issues concerning the politics of kinship.

Explore!
What are the positive and negative effects of politics created by kinship?
How does kinship affect power allocation in Filipino society?

Try it!
Give at least one example for each Filipino value enumerated below:

 debt of gratitude (utang na loob)

 shame (hiya)

 the act of yielding to the majority of the kin group (pakikisama)

 competition for greater status (palakasan)

What do you think?

Is it possible for Philippine society to eliminate bad politics created by kinship?
Keypoints
 Kinship is a system of a culture of recognized family roles and relationships that
define the rights, obligations, and boundaries of an interactions of members of a
self-recognizing group.

 A social network is a social structure comprised of individuals joined by a

particular pattern of links or relations.

 A political dynasty is the concentration, consolidation, or continuation of public

office and political power by persons related to each other.

 Alliance is a relationship between people, groups, or states that have joined for
mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, regardless if explicit
agreement has been worked out amongst them.

 The padrino system is the practice, among those with power or influence, of

favoring relatives or friends.

 Political activism is the way people participate or get involved in various political
processes to promote, impend, and raise awareness of an issue.

 Utang na loob is a way of reciprocity of debt of gratitude to others within the

family circle or primary group.

 Hiya is the inability to say "no" to offers for the fear of what others will think, say,
and do.

 Pakikisama is characterized by togetherness and allegiance to your group with a

concern for what others feel.

 Palakasan is a system wherein those in power compete to obtain special

privileges and exemptions from regulations by bending the rules of law for their
kinship group.