Kinship is grounded in biological facts. It is based on the undeniable, universal reality of biological rules – a child is related to two parents of different sex – and concerned about how sociological structures – who cares for the child? – map on to this. This view of kinship as the hard science of biology for a long time had ardent supporters, Morgan and Gellner among them. The exceptions – adoption for instance – that even Morgan and Gellner admitted to this rule of ‘biology only’ soon took got the upper hand. However, alternatives were not immediately at hand. Needham and after him Schneider argued for the death of kinship as a whole while already very early Durkheim and Rivers search for a solution in a recourse to ‘social kinship’. It took another couple of decades, however, until scholars such as Bloch/Guggenheim and Clarke fully developed a repertoire for analysing social kinship in terms of for instance nurture and care. Problematic in all those accounts was merely one thing: they did not deal with the dichotomy between nature and culture, between biological and social kinship. Carstens tries to address this shortcoming with her more dynamic notion of ‘relatedness’ mapped onto Latourian networks. The final question, however, remains: are we really developing towards a ‘hybrid idea’ if kinship between biological and social relations?
Table of Contents
- What is kinship all about?
- Kinship – a bond between people
- That kinship-relations are not merely based on the social recognition of biological facts
- Compadrazgo and other examples of social kinship
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this text is to critically examine the concept of kinship, challenging the traditional view that it is solely based on biological relationships. It traces the evolution of anthropological thought on kinship, highlighting the limitations of biologically-centric approaches and exploring alternative perspectives that emphasize social and cultural factors.
- The limitations of biologically-defined kinship
- The development of sociological perspectives on kinship
- The role of social and cultural factors in shaping kinship relations
- The interplay between biological and social aspects of kinship
- Alternative models of kinship beyond Western conceptions
Chapter Summaries
What is kinship all about?: This introductory section lays the groundwork for the subsequent discussion by presenting contrasting views on kinship. It introduces the historical dominance of a biological perspective championed by figures like Morgan and Gellner, which viewed kinship as fundamentally rooted in biological facts like birth and blood relations. The text then highlights the limitations of this approach, acknowledging exceptions like adoption and pointing to the emerging need for a more nuanced understanding that incorporates social and cultural factors. Early attempts to address this shortcoming are briefly touched upon, including Durkheim and Rivers' work hinting at the significance of 'social kinship,' but acknowledging the incomplete nature of these early attempts. The chapter ends by introducing Carstens' work, which proposes a dynamic model of 'relatedness' that bridges the nature-culture dichotomy.
Kinship – a bond between people: This chapter delves deeper into the historical debate surrounding the biological basis of kinship. It focuses on the views of Morgan and Gellner, who strongly emphasized the biological foundation of kinship, interpreting social structures as reflections of biological realities. The chapter highlights the limited treatment of exceptions like adoption within these perspectives, viewing them as deviations from the norm rather than integral components of kinship. Schneider's work is also discussed, which emphasizes that biological relationships formed the central reference point against which cultural interpretations were understood. The section underscores how the concept of "blood" played a crucial role in establishing kinship ties, and challenges the purely biological interpretation by acknowledging the existence of adoption and other non-biological relations.
That kinship-relations are not merely based on the social recognition of biological facts: This chapter explores the shift away from a purely biological understanding of kinship, beginning with early 20th-century critiques. The contributions of Durkheim and Rivers are discussed, who challenged the biological primacy by emphasizing the significance of social constructs like totems and rituals in defining kinship ties. The limitations of their approach, particularly the lack of clear articulation of 'social alternatives' to biological kinship and a failure to adequately address the interplay between the two, are examined. The chapter further critiques the methodology employed by many early anthropologists, highlighting the need for a deeper engagement with the complex relationship between biological facts and social constructions within kinship relations.
Compadrazgo and other examples of social kinship: This section presents case studies that illustrate alternative models of kinship emphasizing social rather than biological connections. The concept of Compadrazgo in Catholic societies is examined, where the relationship between godparents and parents transcends biological ties and takes on profound social and spiritual significance. The example of Compadrazgo demonstrates a ritualistic 're-enactment of birth' that diminishes the value placed on biological parentage, particularly that of mothers. Another case study from Clarke's work on Muslim kinship in Lebanon is introduced, showcasing the importance of social and religious factors in defining legitimate kinship in a context of both secular and traditional values. The chapter concludes by noting that neither this work, nor that of others cited, successfully integrates the biological and social aspects of kinship into a single, cohesive framework. Carstens' work is mentioned again as a possible framework for this integration.
Keywords
Kinship, biological kinship, social kinship, relatedness, anthropology, sociology, adoption, Compadrazgo, genealogy, culture, nature, blood, reproduction, Morgan, Gellner, Needham, Schneider, Durkheim, Rivers, Bloch, Guggenheim, Clarke, Carstens.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Critical Examination of Kinship
What is the main focus of this text?
This text critically examines the concept of kinship, moving beyond the traditional view that it's solely based on biological relationships. It explores the evolution of anthropological thought on kinship, highlighting limitations of biologically-centric approaches and emphasizing social and cultural factors.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the limitations of biologically-defined kinship, the development of sociological perspectives on kinship, the role of social and cultural factors in shaping kinship relations, the interplay between biological and social aspects of kinship, and alternative models of kinship beyond Western conceptions.
What are the main arguments presented regarding the limitations of biologically-defined kinship?
The text argues that focusing solely on biological relationships (like birth and blood) neglects crucial social and cultural factors. It highlights the inadequacy of biological definitions in accounting for exceptions like adoption, and emphasizes the need for a more nuanced approach considering social constructs.
How does the text address the historical perspectives on kinship?
The text traces the evolution of thought, starting with perspectives like those of Morgan and Gellner, who strongly emphasized a biological basis. It then shows how later anthropologists like Durkheim and Rivers challenged this, highlighting the importance of social constructs. The text critically evaluates the limitations of both perspectives.
What is the significance of "Compadrazgo" and other examples of social kinship?
The text uses "Compadrazgo" (godparenthood) and other case studies to demonstrate kinship systems where social and religious factors outweigh biological ties. These examples illustrate how kinship can be established and maintained through ritual, social agreement, and shared beliefs, rather than solely through biological descent.
What are some of the alternative models of kinship discussed?
The text explores various alternative models that emphasize the social construction of kinship, moving away from purely biological definitions. It discusses the work of several anthropologists who offered different approaches to understanding the complex interaction between biological facts and social constructs.
What is the role of Carstens' work in this analysis?
Carstens' work is presented as a potential framework that integrates biological and social aspects of kinship into a more comprehensive model. The text repeatedly references Carstens' dynamic model of 'relatedness' as a way to bridge the nature-culture dichotomy in understanding kinship.
What are the key figures and their contributions discussed in the text?
The text analyzes the contributions of several key anthropologists, including Morgan, Gellner, Needham, Schneider, Durkheim, Rivers, Bloch, Guggenheim, Clarke, and Carstens, each offering different perspectives on the nature and construction of kinship relationships.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
Each chapter summary highlights the progression of thought on kinship, from a primarily biological understanding to a more nuanced approach that considers social and cultural factors. It shows how different anthropologists contributed to this shift and how the limitations of earlier models led to the development of new perspectives.
- Quote paper
- Johannes Lenhard (Author), 2013, What is kinship all about?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/230431
