Page 7 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Sukanya Das, Lovely Professional University Unit 1: Nature and Significance of the Subject

Unit 1: Nature and Significance of the Subject Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives

Introduction
1.1 Role and Importance of Kinship in Social Structure
1.2 Summary
1.3 Keywords

1.4 Review Questions
1.5 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit students will be able to:
• Understand the meaning of Kinship.
• Know the characteristics and importance of Kinship.

Introduction
Kinship is also known in Hindi language by the words ‘Sangotrata‘, ‘Bandhutv‘ and ‘Swajan‘
etc. Kinship and marriage are the basic facts of life.
The concept of marriage arises due to desire for sex and marriage in turn creates family and
Kinship. With the origin of the words, financial welfare and security are those feelings which
have played an important role in uniting individuals. The feeling of community security only in-
spired man to make small organizations which range from family to nation. A person feels more
secured among people belonging to same religion, language and nation and more so among
his kins with whom he shares his social, moral and financial welfare. A person can change his
nationality, religion, state but not his kinship.

Kinship involves blood relation. Therefore it is considered a confirm and trust-
worthy in wild and uncivilized tribes to civilized societies.

Meaning and Definition of Kinship: Charles Winick has defined kinship as “Kinship system
may include socially recognised relationships based on supposed as well as actual genealogical
ties”.
According to Redcliff Brown,” Kinship is the approved relation of lans for social purposes
which is the basis of traditional relations in social institutions.”
According to Dr. Reverse, “Kinship is that relationship which can be fixed and described by
genealogical medium”.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 1