Every human society recognizes the existence of some kind of kinship system in the whole world. Today kinship plays a vital role in controlling individual behavior and in maintaining social cohesion. Kinship relations are based on blood ties and marriage. The relation based on blood, or marriage may be close or distant. The bond of blood or marriage which binds people together in group is called kinship.
According to Giddens, “Kinship comprises either genetic ties or ties initiated by marriage.”
Types of kinship
Kinship bonds are of different types. They vary from society to society. Some types of kinship are mentioned below.
On the basis of Blood and Marriage relationship kinds are divided into (i) Consanguineous and (ii) Affinal kins.
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(i) Consanguineous kins
It is based on blood relations. This type of relationship exists between parents and their children and between the children of the same parents. This kind of kinship refers to a son, daughter, sister, parental uncle, etc. This type of kinship may be actual or supposed. In a polyandrous tribe the actual father of a child is unknown. An adopted child is treated as if it were one’s own biologically produced child. Thus blood relationship may be established not only on biological basis but also on the basis of social recognition.
(ii) Affinal kins
The term ‘affinity’ means relation by marriage. Thus Affinal kinship refers to the bond established only after marriage. Thus, marriage creates a host of relationships which are called Affinal kinship. The relationship of husband with wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law etc. is of Affinal nature.
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On the basis of nearness and distant relationship kins can be divided into three types – 1. Primary kin, 2. Secondary kin, and 3. Tertiary kin.
1. Primary kins
The persons who are directly and physically close to one another are called primary kin. According to S.C. Dube, there are eight such relations. They include husband-wife, father-son, father-daughter, mother-daughter, mother-son, younger-elder sisters, younger-elder brothers, and brother-sister.
2. Secondary kins
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The secondary kins are those persons who are related through primary kin. Persons such as father’s father, mother’s father brother’s daughter, father’s sister, sister’s husband are some of the secondary kins. The number of secondary kins came to 33 types.
3. Tertiary kins
The tertiary kins are those persons who are the primary kin of the secondary kin. The kin of this kind include the husband’s brother’s wife, wife’s brother’s wife and the like.