ambilateral descent

kinship

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June 18, 2026

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Ambilateral descent is a kinship system where both patrilineal and matrilineal principles operate. However, individuals have some choice in defining their connection to either their mother's or father's group. In some ambilateral systems, marriage can expand one's lineage choices to include in-laws. This contrasts with unilineal systems, which emphasize ties through only one parent, and bilateral systems, which recognize kinship through both parents equally. Kinship systems are crucial for establishing social parentage, influencing rights, duties, and inheritance.12

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descent
In ambilateral systems, patrilineal and matrilineal principles both operate at the societal level, but at the level of the individual various rules or choices define a person as belonging to either the mother’s or the father’s group. In some ambilateral systems, marriage broadens one’s choice of…
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In ambilateral systems, patrilineal and matrilineal principles both operate at the societal level, but at the level of the individual various rules or choices define a person as belonging to either the mother’s or the father’s group. In some ambilateral systems, marriage broadens one’s choice of…
Read More