Question 1

In many mainstream American movies, a child's bond to their biological father is portrayed as far more important than their bond to their stepfather. This reflects the cultural belief that:

Accepted Answer

The portrayal of biological father's bond being more important in mainstream American movies reflects the cultural belief that kinship depends on genetic inheritance. This belief is deeply rooted in American society where genetic ties are frequently valued over other types of kinship connections.

Question 2

While Western culture differentiates some kin terms according to gender, other cultures differentiate by age or order of birth. This suggests:

Accepted Answer

The fact that different cultures differentiate kin terms in different ways suggests that culture plays a powerful role in shaping our understanding of familial relationships. This highlights the importance of cultural context in interpreting kinship systems.

Question 3

In a matrilineal society, a man concerned with the continuation of his lineage will invest the most in:

Accepted Answer

In a matrilineal society, lineage is traced through the mother's side of the family. Therefore, a man concerned with the continuation of his lineage will invest the most in his sister's children, who will carry on the family line.

Question 4

In a matrilocal society, newlyweds are meant to:

Accepted Answer

In a matrilocal society, it is customary for the newlywed couple to reside with the kin of the wife. This can include her mother, sisters, and other female relatives. This is in contrast to a patrilocal society, where the married couple typically resides with the kin of the husband.

Question 5

Gametes contain _______, which genetically link a child's physical body back to their parents.

Accepted Answer

Chromosomes are the genetic material that determines an individual's physical traits, and gametes (both sperm and eggs) contain half of the chromosomes from each parent. This genetic link is what allows a child's physical body to be connected to their parents. Consanguineal cells are not a term typically used in genetics or reproduction, kinship terms refer to familial relationships rather than genetic material, and gestational embryos are not present in gametes.

Question 6

Eggs and sperm are also known as:

Accepted Answer

Eggs and sperm are specialized reproductive cells known as gametes.

Question 7

Although members of different cultures may have different ways of understanding and enacting kinship, as human beings we all have:

Accepted Answer

Kinship, at its core, involves a universal and inherent drive for communion among humans, transcending cultural specifics in how it is understood or enacted.

Question 8

In cultures where DNA is not the main substance of kinship:

Accepted Answer

In cultures where DNA is not the primary basis of kinship, adoption can be more straightforward, kinship can be constructed additively after birth, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may seem unnecessary or absurd, and 'real' kinship can indeed be established through marriage or other social bonds (affinally). These practices highlight the diverse ways in which societies understand and establish kinship beyond biological ties.

Question 9

Experts determining whether certain stigmatized groups (e.g., unmarried people, people over 40, gender fluid people) should be allowed to use assistive reproductive technology (ART) and under what conditions are making rulings that:

Accepted Answer

The determination of whether certain stigmatized groups should be allowed to use ART and under what conditions is based on cultural norms and biases rather than medical justifications. Age, marital status, and gender identity should not impact one's ability to access ART, but societal norms and prejudices may come into play in determining eligibility.

Question 10

In the USA, husbands and wives are:

Accepted Answer

Husbands and wives are considered affinal kin because they are related through marriage rather than through blood. Affinal kinship is established through marriage or alliance and includes relationships formed through the marriage of one's relatives (e.g. in-laws).

Question 11

On a traditional Israeli Kibbutz, the role of mother or father did not include an obligation for child-rearing and children were raised communally. This illustrates or is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The statement describes how the role of mother or father differs in Israeli Kibbutz as they do not have an obligation for child-rearing, and how children are raised communally. This implies that the roles specified for given kin labels vary across cultures, in this case, for the label "mother" or "father." Therefore, the correct answer is D.

Question 12

Why would a teenager who seeks to elicit financial support from a parental figure or relative begin the conversation by emphasizing their kinship?

Accepted Answer

People use kin terms to remind each other of associated rights and obligations, especially when it comes to financial support. Emphasizing kinship can lead to an expectation of support based on the perceived responsibilities that come with being family.

Question 13

For their family tree projects, students were required to trace their inheritance back to previous generations through both their family's male and female lines. Leaving aside the ethnocentrism of the assumption that each student understood their lineage in this way, what kinds of lineages did the exercise produce?

Accepted Answer

The exercise required tracing inheritance through both the family's male and female lines, indicating a bilateral lineage.

Question 14

A man spends more time with his sister's children than his sister's husband does. The same man also pays little attention to his wife's children. What kind of relationship does the man have with his sister's children?

Accepted Answer

The man has a strong avunculate relationship with his sister's children, meaning he is closely involved in their lives as an uncle figure. This is supported by the fact that he spends more time with them than their father (his sister's husband), and by the fact that he pays little attention to his own wife's children. The other options do not accurately describe the relationship based on the given information.

Question 15

While adult opossums rarely make any noise (their survival depends on silence and stealth), when baby opossums fall from their mother's back, the adults screech is so loud that it often draws the attention of predators. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon can be explained by inclusive fitness, which refers to an individual's success in passing on its genes, including those of close relatives. In this case, the adult opossum's loud screech may attract predators away from its own offspring, but it also serves to alert other nearby opossums (including close relatives) of potential danger. By protecting related individuals from harm, the adult opossum is indirectly increasing its inclusive fitness.

Question 16

Why is the practice of kinship charting that originated 150 years ago so challenging?

Accepted Answer

The practice of kinship charting that originated 150 years ago reflects the idealized family form of the 19th century Anglo-European upper class which is not applicable to all cultural contexts. This makes it challenging as it does not consider the diverse family structures present in different societies.

Question 17

The traditional Japanese Buddhist ritual 'Mizuko kuyō':

Accepted Answer

The Mizuko kuyō ritual is performed in order to ensure that the soul of a child released through miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion will come back when the time is right. This demonstrates a belief in reincarnation and the importance of honoring the spirit of the unborn child.

Question 18

The traditional Japanese Buddhist conception of life is best visualized as a/an:

Accepted Answer

The traditional Japanese Buddhist conception of life is often symbolized by a circle, which represents the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth known as samsara. This cycle is seen as a natural part of life, and the goal of Buddhist practice is to break free from it and attain enlightenment.

Question 19

What is one danger or challenge of using DNA tests to determine kinship for legal purposes?

Accepted Answer

DNA tests may reveal unexpected findings that contradict a person's understanding and lived experience of who their parents or offspring are, causing emotional distress and potentially legal disputes.

Question 20

Some prefer 'SRT' to 'ART' (assistive reproductive technology). What does the S stand for?

Accepted Answer

SRT stands for selective reproductive technology, which refers to the use of specific technologies to select or screen embryos before implantation. This can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy and can also be used for purposes such as preventing genetic diseases.

Quiz 13: Kinship