Question

With the help of suitable examples, elaborate on Classificatory kinship.

Answer 1

Kinship classifications prioritise social or cultural relationships above biological ties. Kinship terminology encompasses more than just biological links and can refer to individuals with certain social functions or statuses.

1. Uncle: In some cultures, the name "uncle" can refer to both a parent's biological brother and other male relatives with similar functions, such as a father's close friend or an elder cousin.
2. Cousin: Classification systems may use the term "cousin" to refer to persons who share a common ancestor within a specific number of generations, even if they are not biologically related. In some cultures, the offspring of siblings are referred to as "cousins" regardless of their biological kinship.