Kinship terms

Number of Partners

1. Monogamy– marriage of one man to one woman

2. Polygamy– custom of one man having more than one spouse at a time

3. Polygyny– custom of one man having two or more wives

4. Polyandry– custom of one woman having two or more husbands.

Choice of Partners 

1. Endogamy – partners must the chosen from within a defined group, e.g. a religious community , in accordance with custom.

2. Exogamy– partner must be chosen from outside one’s own tribe, class or group in accordance with custom.

Descent 

1. Patrilineal– the privileges and duties of descent follow the male line.

2. Matrilineal – follow the female line.

3. Bilineal-  follow both lines

Residence after marriage 

1. Patrilocal- husband and wife take up residence with the husband’s parents

2. Matrilocal – with the wife’s parents

3. Neolocal – husband and wife reside by themselves.

Authority 

1. Patriarchal- father is head of the family or tribe and is the main authority figure

2. Matriarchal– mother is the head of the home.

3. Equalitarian– equal sharing of authority between mother and father.