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DAILY
CLASS NOTES
Anthropology

Family (Part - 3)
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Family (Part - 3)

Families can broadly be classified in following ways:

Classification of family

1. Blood Relation
⮚ Based on shared biological ancestry.
⮚ Genetic ties that connect parents, children, siblings, etc.
2. Marriage
⮚ Formed through marital unions.
⮚ Joining of two families through matrimony.
3. Residence
⮚ Determined by shared living arrangements.
⮚ Families living together under one roof.
4. Succession
⮚ Involves inheritance and passing down of assets.
⮚ Defines who receives what from the family estate.
5. Authority
⮚ Hierarchical structure within families.
⮚ Designates decision-makers and leaders.
6. Structure
⮚ Refers to the organization of family units.
⮚ May include extended families, nuclear families, etc.
Each of these classifications offers a distinct lens through which families can be understood and analyzed in the
context of human societies.

1. By Blood Relations :
Scholars have presented three key interpretations on consanguineous and conjugal families, shedding light on
the diverse aspects of these family setups.
Interpretation 1: A conjugal family consists of two adult partners and their unmarried children (who may be
minor). On the contrary, a consanguineous family goes beyond this structure, encompassing a larger network of
blood connections.
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Interpretation 2: In conjugal families, there is a prime focus on matrimonial unions, often described as being
"marriage-centric." In contrast, in consanguineous families, the primary stress is placed on blood relationships,
a perspective often described as "blood-centric."
Interpretation 3: Consanguineous families are sometimes refers to families based on consanguineous
marriages- In which spouses marry individuals with shared genetic ties, often from the same extended kinship
group, emphasizing blood relationships and ancestral connections.
This practice often results in the formation of family units where blood relationships and lineage hold significant
cultural and social importance.
Relevance of distinction:
Conjugal families, more common in the West, emphasize the nuclear unit of a married couple and their children.
Consanguine families, seen in more traditional areas, involve extended kin networks built on blood relationships
for mutual support.
However, cultural shifts, urbanization, and globalization have led to evolving family dynamics, blurring the
distinctions between these categories.
Case Study: The Nayar Community of India
The Nayar community in the southwestern state of Kerala, exemplify a consanguineous family system where
marriages are not emphasized, and the focus lies on matrilineal kinship. In Nayar society, a woman may have
multiple husbands, and the biological father's identity is not a central concern in child-rearing. The extended family
network plays a crucial role in providing support and nurturing for the children, highlighting the significance of
consanguinity and shared ancestry.
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2. By marriage:
Family, based on types of marriage, encompasses various marital arrangements prevalent in societies.
A. Monogamous family- A monogamous family is a type of family structure in which an individual is married
to only one spouse at a time, forming a partnership between two people.
Advantages of Monogamous families:
Monogamous families offer stability, parenting focus, economic efficiency, educational support, emotional
intimacy, and adaptability to changing norms, fostering enduring relationships and a nurturing environment.
Example:
❖ Akan tribe (Ghana)
❖ Yoruba tribe ( Nigeria)
❖ Gond ( Central India)
❖ Bhils ( Central India)
❖ Khasi ( Meghalaya)
B. Polygamous family:
Polygamous families involve one individual having multiple spouses simultaneously.
⮚ Polygynous families- families formed as a result of polygyngous marriage ( one husband with multiple
wives.)
Example-
 The Himba tribe (Namibia)
 The Tuareg people in (North and West Africa)
 Irula tribe (Tamil Nadu)
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 Bedia tribe (North India)

⮚ Polyandrous families- families formed as a result of polyandrous marriage ( one wife with multiple
husbands.)
Example-
 Nyinba tribe (Nepal)
 Marquesan (French Polynesia)
 Toda tribe (Tamil Nadu)
 Jaunsari tribe (Uttarakhand)
⮚ Polygynandrous families- families formed as a result of polygynandrous marriage ( form of communal
marriage where groups of men and women marry. )
Example:
!Kung San (Namibia and Botswana)
These arrangements form intricate relationship networks within families.

Figure: Types of family based on marriage.

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3. By Residence :
1. Patrilocal families-
⮚ Patrilocal families are a type of family structure in which a married couple resides with groom's family.
⮚ In this arrangement, the husband's family serves as the core household.
⮚ It contributes to maintaining the social and economic ties within the husband's family network.
⮚ Patrilocal residence can be influenced by cultural norms, inheritance practices, and the desire to uphold
family traditions.

Figure: Patrilocal Residence.

Examples:
✔ Akan Tribe: (Ghana)
✔ Hmong tribe: ( Southeast Asia)
✔ Bhils ( C. India)
✔ Bagata
2. Matrilocal families-
⮚ A matrilocal family is a social arrangement where a married couple lives with wife's family.
⮚ In this type of family system, the wife's family holds a central role in providing support, resources, and
social connections.
Examples-
✔ Khasi tribe ( Meghalaya)
✔ Trobriand Islanders.
✔ Minangkabau (Indonesia)

Figure: Matrilocal Residence.

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3. Neolocal families-
⮚ A neolocal family refers to a family arrangement in which a newly married couple establishes their own
independent household separate from the households of their respective parents.
⮚ Neolocal families are commonly found in modern Western societies and are often associated with
greater autonomy and self-sufficiency for the newlyweds.

Figure: Neolocal Residence

Reasons for its rise:
❖ Urbanization and Migration: Movement to urban areas for employment opportunities.
❖ Economic Independence: Couples seeking financial autonomy and stability.
❖ Educational Pursuits: Pursuit of education leading to diverse career paths.
❖ Changing Gender Roles: Evolving roles and expectations within marriages.
❖ Desire for Privacy: Aspiring to create independent living spaces.
❖ Cultural Shifts: Changing attitudes toward family structures.
❖ Personal Autonomy: Focus on personal aspirations and independence.
❖ Social Mobility: Striving for upward social and economic mobility.
❖ Nuclear Family Ideal: Preference for smaller, self-contained families.
❖ Communication Technology: Enhanced communication allows for distance while staying connected.
Among Indian tribes:
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Neolocal residence remains relatively uncommon among traditional Indian tribes due to strong familial and
community ties.
However, evolving social dynamics, education, and urbanization might lead to neolocal patterns in various tribal
communities.
Example - central Indian tribes.
4. Ambilocal families:
⮚ An ambilocal family is a type of kinship group or family arrangement in which a newly married couple has
the option to choose whether to live with or near the husband's family or the wife's family.
⮚ This flexibility allows the couple to select their place of residence based on practical considerations, cultural
norms, and the availability of resources and support from both sides of the family.

Figure: Ambilocal Residence

Difference between Ambilocal family and Neolocal family:
❖ Ambilocal residence involves living with or near one of the spouse's families, while neolocal residence involves
the couple creating a new, independent household.

Reason for ambilocal residence:

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Ambilocal residence offers couples the flexibility to choose their living arrangement based on economic benefits,
social support, and cultural norms, while allowing them to navigate spousal dynamics through a personalized
choice.
5. Avunculocal Families:

Figure: Avunculocal Residence.

Example-
Ashanti (Ghana)
4. By Succession:
Family Based on Succession: Refers to the passing down of property, roles, and responsibilities from one
generation to the next within a family unit.
Patrilineal Succession: Inheritance and roles transmitted through the male line, emphasizing fathers, paternal
ancestors, and sons.
Features:
⮚ Father's lineage is central.
⮚ Sons inherit property, family names, and leadership roles.
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⮚ Typically patriarchal societies.

⮚ Maintains continuity of male lineage.
⮚ Common in many cultures worldwide.
Matrilineal Succession:Inheritance and roles transmitted through the female line, giving prominence to
mothers, maternal ancestors, and daughters.
Features:
⮚ Mother's lineage is significant.
⮚ Daughters may inherit property and titles.
⮚ Strong maternal kinship ties.
⮚ Challenges conventional gender norms.
⮚ Valuation of female ancestry and influence.

Figure: family based on succession

5. By Authority
Family Based on Authority: Involves the distribution of decision-making power, leadership roles, and control
within a family unit, influencing family dynamics and relationships.
Patriarchal Family:A family structure where authority and decision-making are primarily vested in the male
head of the family.
Features:
⮚ Male figure (father or eldest male) holds central authority.
⮚ Decision-making power, inheritance, and property ownership favor males.
⮚ Often characterized by strict gender roles.
⮚ Common in societies with historical male dominance.
⮚ Reflects traditional norms and hierarchies.
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⮚ Examples include many cultures globally, historically.

Matriarchal Family: A family structure where authority and decision-making are primarily vested in the female
head of the family.
Features:
⮚ Female figure (mother or eldest female) holds central authority.
⮚ Decision-making power, inheritance, and property ownership favor females.
⮚ Gender roles might be more fluid and equitable.
⮚ Found in certain societies challenging male dominance.
⮚ Reflects evolving gender norms and equality.

Figure: family based on authority

6. By Structure: given by murdock
Family Based on Structure:
1. Nuclear Family:
Definition: The nuclear family consists of parents and their children living together as a separate unit,
independent of extended family members.
2. Composite Family:
Definition: A composite family includes multiple generations of a family living together in one household,
often with uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents.
Polygamous Family: A polygamous family involves one individual having multiple spouses simultaneously,
which can manifest as polygyny (one husband with multiple wives) or polyandry (one wife with multiple
husbands).
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⮚ Extended Family:An extended family consists of multiple generations and branches of a family living
together or in close proximity, encompassing not only parents and children but also grandparents, aunts,
uncles, and cousins.
Each family structure reflects the social dynamics, kinship relationships, and cultural norms of the society
in which it exists.

Figure: family based on structure

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Figure: Fraternal Joint Extended family.

Household
A household refers to individuals living together "under one roof," whether or not they are biologically related.
❖ According to Haviland, a household is a unit where the "production and distribution of resources takes place"
when these activities occur within the same physical space.
Household characteristics:
1. Cohabitation and Economic Activities: Involves individuals living together under the same roof.
2. Production and Distribution:Economic activities like resource production and sharing occur within the
household.
3. Shared Physical Space: These activities take place in the same physical location.
4. Collaborative Efforts: Household members work collectively to produce and distribute resources.
5. Interconnectedness:Emphasizes the close link between economic activities and living arrangements.
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Figure- Haviland explanation on house hold.

Views of various thinkers/ Anthropologist.
❖ "Bender" underscores that a household is distinct from a family conceptually. While family hinges on kinship
connections, a household centers on shared residence ("one roof").
❖ According to "Seddon," a household essentially equates to a "Budget Unit," implying the practical management
of resources within a shared living space.

Figure: Seddon's budget unit.

Criticism:
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Blumer's criticism contends that the term "household" falls short in adequacy and appropriateness. It suffers from
conceptual overlap with other terms and fails to comprehensively elucidate its intended meaning.

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