Chapter 9 Marriage and the Family Key Terms

ambilocal (bilocal) residence The practice of a newly married couple taking up residence with either the husband’s or the wife’s parents. arranged marriage Any marriage in which the selection of the spouse is outside the control of the bride and groom.

avunculocal residence The practice of a newly married couple taking up residence with or near the husband’s mother’s brother. bride service Work or service performed for the bride’s family by the groom for a specified period of time either before or after the marriage.

bridewealth The transfer of goods from the groom’s lineage to the bride’s lineage to legitimize marriage. cross cousins Children of one’s mother’s brother or father’s sister.

divorce Dissolution of a marriage. dowry The transfer of goods or money from the bride’s family to the groom or groom’s family in order to legalize or legitimize a marriage.

endogamy A rule requiring marriage within a specified social or kinship group. exogamy A rule requiring marriage outside of one’s own social or kinship group.

extended family A family form that includes two or more related nuclear families. incest taboo The prohibition of sexual intimacy between people defined as close relatives.

kibbutz A communal farm or settlement in Israel. levirate The practice of a man marrying the widow of a deceased brother.

matrilocal residence The practice of a newly married couple living with the wife’s family. monogamy The marital practice of having only one wife at a time.

neolocal residence The practice of a newly wedded couple taking up their residence in a place independent from both the husband’s and the wife’s family. nuclear family The most basic family unit composed of wife, husband, and children.

parallel cousins Children of one’s mother’s sister or father’s brother. patrilocal residence The practice of a newly married couple living with the husband’s family.

polyandry The marriage of a woman to two or more men at the same time. polygyny The marriage of a man to two or more women at the same time.

postpartum sexual abstinence taboo A husband and wife abstaining from any sexual activity for a length of time after the birth of a child.

preferential cousin marriage A preferred form of marriage between either parallel or cross cousins. reciprocal exchange The equal exchange of gifts between the families of both the bride and groom to legitimize marriage.

serial monogamy The practice of having a succession of marriage partners but only one at a time. sororate The practice of a woman marrying the husband of her deceased sister.