Anthropology, Gender and Kinship Response

Please respond to two different classmates discussion posts. *Course Reading: Linda Stone and Diane King. Kinship and Gender: An Introduction. 6th Edition (2019). Routledge. Note: A free e-book version of this book is available through the SUNY Empire library. 1. Minnie James posted: Two important functions of the family are to procreate and to teach social skills. In the course video, Stages of Family Life (Crash Course Sociology #38), the family unit is developed after the family life cycle model: courtship, marriage, and then childrearing. Although, the initial courtship is expected to begin with romance, other factors may come into play besides love, such as compatibility in education, economics, and social backgrounds. Once we have resolved those factors the couple begins to procreate. In the early 1800’s, children were considered an economic necessity. It meant more hands on the farm to complete chores and produce products that generated income for the family. Nowadays, having children is a matter of personal choice and to assure family lineage and continue descent. Teaching social skills, provide values and create relationships is another function of the family. In the article, Did Dads Evolve? (Preston, 2021), the Mountain gorilla demonstrates this function remarkably from the dominant male role. The child gorilla spends more time around the male gorilla within their troop. Even without fathering the child gorilla, they nurture the child, protect the child, play with the child and teach the child how to survive. The relationship is so impactful that the child can thrive even through the loss of their mother. Kinship, family and gender sound similar as if they’re in the same, for lack of a better word; family! And that’s because they are interlinked. Earlier I pointed out that our similarities may lead into our courtship choices. This is the development of kinship and those same likenesses or backgrounds; feelings and ideas are expressed in our values. Our values are taught by our parents and how we interpret these values is how we define gender. Basically, how I am raised is how I internalize specific gender roles. Families have monumental impact in the socialization process; where we learn cultural norms, values and gender identities. Yikes, how I think and believe are not my own thoughts. They are founded on someone else’s views. Another way that these 3 are interlinked is by reproduction. Reproduction is managed by society and cultural norms. The subordination of women includes the idea that women are inferior to men and therefore need to be controlled. Men are thought to have control over more important issues like politics and the economy, while the women’s role is seen as strictly domestic. This is seen in both public and private spheres. So, there’s inequalities in our jobs and in our families. Our reading material, Kinship and Gender, An Introduction (Stone and King, 2019) provides an example demonstrated by barbies for girls and military toys for boys; common in families during the 1970’s in the U.S. Here we are teaching our children which role they should fall into. Another social norm or rule that interlinks kinship with reproduction is the expectation of the major parenting role or even single parenting completed by the female. Even to the extent that in a separation of the relationship, the female is widely expected to obtain custodial rights to the children. Once again, my earlier reference to the Mountain Gorilla shed some light on the opposite spectrum of that norm. Preston, Elizabet. (Sept. 1, 2021). Did Dads Evolve? SAPIENS Crash Course Sociology video #38 Stages of Family Life Kinship and Gender An Introduction (Stone and King, 2019) 2. Zahava Ross posted: Families play crucial roles in societies around the world, serving as the foundation for socialization, emotional support, and the continuation of cultural values. Two important functions of families that are consistent across different societies include the socialization of children and the provision of economic support. Families play important and different roles in societies around the world. They serve as the foundation for socialization, emotional support, and the continuation of cultural values. Two important functions families have in society are the socialization of children and the provision of economic support. One of the primary functions of families is to socialize children, teaching them the norms, values, and behaviors necessary to function in their society. For example, in many Western societies, parents emphasize the importance of individualism and self-reliance, instilling these values in their children from a young age. This socialization process prepares children to navigate a society that values independence and personal achievement. In contrast, in many collectivist societies, such as those in East Asia, families emphasize the importance of community, family loyalty, and respect for elders. Children are socialized to prioritize the needs of the group over individual desires, reflecting the cultural values of interdependence and harmony. Families also serve as the primary unit of economic support, ensuring the well-being of their members. In many societies, the family is responsible for providing food, shelter, and other necessities. For instance, in rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, extended families often work together in agricultural production, pooling their resources and labor to support one another. This collective approach to economic survival ensures that even in challenging times, the family can provide for its members. In contrast, in more industrialized societies, families often support each other through wage labor, where one or more family members work to provide for the entire household. Kinship, family, and gender are deeply interlinked, shaping the roles and responsibilities assigned to individuals within the family. Two ways in which these aspects are connected include the division of labor and inheritance practices. Gender often determines the division of labor within families, with different societies assigning specific roles to men and women. In many traditional societies, such as among the Maasai of East Africa, men are primarily responsible for herding livestock, while women take on the roles of child-rearing, cooking, and gathering resources. Kinship and gender are also interconnected through inheritance practices, which can reinforce gender hierarchies within families. For example, in patrilineal societies, such as those in parts of South Asia, property and family name are typically passed down through the male line. Sons are often favored in inheritance, while daughters may receive little or no property, reflecting and perpetuating gender inequalities. In contrast, some matrilineal societies, like the Minangkabau in Indonesia, pass inheritance through the female line, with women holding significant power and authority within the family. These practices highlight how kinship and gender intersect to shape the distribution of resources and influence within families. Stone, Linda and Diane E. King, Kinship and Gender, Chapter 1: Gender, Reproduction, and Kinship