Respond to the discussion questions from Chapter 8 of Perspectives:
Why is it important for anthropologists to understand the kinship, descent, and family relationships that exist in the cultures they study? In what ways can family relationships structure the lives of individuals?
Status and role define the position of people within the family as well as the behaviors they are expected to perform. What are some of the statuses and roles found in families in your community? How have these changed over time?
In this chapter, Gilliland describes several different patterns of family organization including nuclear families, extended families, and joint families. While small nuclear families are common in the United States, larger families are common in many other societies. What do you think are some of the practical effects of both small and large families on everyday life?
Recall what you read in the article “Does Love Always Come Before Marriage?” by William Jankowiak & Alex Nelson.
In Western popular culture, where the ideal of love-motivated marriages has become dominant, those involved in arranged marriages are often portrayed as hapless sufferers, and their parents are often portrayed as strict or even cruel. However, anthropological research shows that this portrayal is misrepresents the reality of most arranged marriages. Based on what you learned from the article, how do real-life arranged marriages usually differ from the fictional accounts found in Western film and literature?
Recall what you read in the article “When Gaming the System Is the Only Way to Parenthood,” by Jessica Leinaweaver and Diana Marre.
As the authors indicate, “anthropologists have shown that co-sleeping or room sharing with small children is widespread around the world and associated with many positive outcomes.” Nonetheless, Spanish adoption officials still adhere to the idea that “The child should be in their own room for privacy but close enough to allow parents to monitor or discipline them and provide a sense of security.” Where does this idea come from? How does it shape the adoption process?
