Tag: patrilineal

March 7, 2026 / Mohammed looti

UNILATERAL DESCENT

The Fundamental Definition and Scope of Unilateral Descent In the expansive field of anthropology and sociology, unilateral descent represents a sophisticated system of family lineage and kinship organization where individuals trace their ancestry and social identity exclusively through one side of their family. Unlike more fluid systems of kinship, unilateral descent establishes a clear, unambiguous […]

November 30, 2025 / Mohammed looti

PATRIARCHY

Introduction: Defining the Scope of Patriarchy The term Patriarchy derives etymologically from the Greek words patēr (father) and arkhē (rule), literally translating to the “rule of the father.” In its strictest anthropological definition, patriarchy refers to a social system where the eldest male holds supreme authority over the family unit, and where descent and inheritance […]