| Eskimo Kinship |
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| CATEGORIES ABOUT ESKIMO KINSHIP | |
| kinship and descent | |
| kinship terminology | |
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KINSHIP SYSTEM The Eskimo system places no distinction between patrilineal and matrilineal relatives, instead focusing on differences in kinship distance (the closer the relative is, the more distinguished). The system also emphasizes the Nuclear Family , identifying directly only the mother, father, brother, and sister (lineal relatives). All other relatives are grouped together into categories. It uses both classificatory and descriptive terms, differentiating between gender, generation, lineal relatives (relatives in the direct line of descent), and collateral relatives (blood relatives not in the direct line of descent). Parental siblings are distinguished only by their sex (Aunt, Uncle). All children of these individuals are lumped together regardless of sex (Cousins). Unlike the Hawaiian System , Ego's parents are clearly distinguished from their siblings. OCCURRENCE The Eskimo system is comparatively rare among the world's kinship systems and is at present used in most advanced Western societies (such as those of modern-day Europe or North America ). A small number of Food-foraging peoples also use it (such as the !Kung tribe of Africa ). The system is largely used in Bilineal societies where the dominant relatives are the immediate family. In most Western societies, the nuclear family represents an independent social and economic group, further emphasizing the immediate kinship. The tendency in Western societies to live apart and interact with extended family only on a ceremonial basis also reinforces this. TERMINOLOGY While the term "Eskimo" has now dropped out of favor and is generally considered to be somewhat archaic, or even offensive, keep in mind that the system was named during the Victorian Era . The Alaskan tribes Morgan referred to are more appropriately referred to as the ''Inuit'' (although some Arctic Alaskan groups - most notably the Yupik - that do not speak Inuit Languages object to being called "Inuit", and will often use the term "Eskimo"). SEE ALSO SOURCES & EXTERNAL LINKS
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