Sex, Marriage, and Family Part I

Trobrianders To attract lovers, young Trobriand men and woman must look as attractive and seductive as possible. To attract lovers, young Trobriand men and woman must look as attractive and seductive as possible. This woman’s beauty has been enhanced by face painting and adornments given by her father. This woman’s beauty has been enhanced by face painting and adornments given by her father.

Primate Sexual Relations Among primates, the human female is unusual in her ability to engage in sexual activity whether she is fertile or not. Among primates, the human female is unusual in her ability to engage in sexual activity whether she is fertile or not. –This capacity leads to the reinforcement of social bonds between men and women but also to conflicts over sex. Sexual competition could be a source of conflict if it were not regulated and channeled into stable relationships that are given social approval. Sexual competition could be a source of conflict if it were not regulated and channeled into stable relationships that are given social approval.

Visual Counterpoint While homosexual behavior is absolutely condemned in some societies, many others are indifferent about such personal practices and openly tolerate individuals who engage in homosexual activities. While homosexual behavior is absolutely condemned in some societies, many others are indifferent about such personal practices and openly tolerate individuals who engage in homosexual activities. In some cultures certain prescribed male-to-male sexual acts are part of male initiation rituals of all boys to become respected adult men. In some cultures certain prescribed male-to-male sexual acts are part of male initiation rituals of all boys to become respected adult men.

Marriage The anthropological definition of marriage is: a culturally sanctioned union between two or more people that establishes certain rights and obligations between the people, between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws. The anthropological definition of marriage is: a culturally sanctioned union between two or more people that establishes certain rights and obligations between the people, between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws.

Sexual and Marriage Practices among the Nayar The Nayar are one of many examples of sexually permissive cultures. The Nayar are one of many examples of sexually permissive cultures. A landowning warrior caste, their estates are held by corporations made up of kinsmen related in the female line. A landowning warrior caste, their estates are held by corporations made up of kinsmen related in the female line. These relatives live together in a household, with the eldest male serving as manager. These relatives live together in a household, with the eldest male serving as manager. Traditionally, Nayar boys began military training around age of 7, and were away from home for significant stretches of time. Traditionally, Nayar boys began military training around age of 7, and were away from home for significant stretches of time.

The Nayar: Three Traditional Transactions 1. Ritual Husband –Shortly before a girl experienced her first menstruation there was a ceremony that joined her with a “ritual husband” in a temporary union which did not necessarily involve sexual relations.

The Nayar: Three Traditional Transactions 2. Visiting Husband –When a young Nayar woman entered into a continuing sexual liaison with a man approved by her family. –it became a formal relationship that required the man to present her with gifts three times each year until the relationship was terminated. –The man could spend the nights with her, but had no obligation to support her economically. –The woman may have had such an arrangement with more than one man at the same time.

The Nayar: Three Traditional Transactions 3. Acknowledging Paternity –When the woman became pregnant, one of the men with whom she has a relationship must acknowledge paternity by making gifts to the woman and the midwife.

Kin Relations Consanguineal kin: biologically related relatives, commonly referred to as blood relatives. Consanguineal kin: biologically related relatives, commonly referred to as blood relatives. Affinal kin: people related through marriage. Affinal kin: people related through marriage.

Question ____________ are relatives by birth, or so-called "blood kin." ____________ are relatives by birth, or so-called "blood kin." A.Affinal kin B.In laws C.Conjugal kin D.Kith and kin E.Consanguineal kin

Question Consanguineal kin are relatives by birth, or so-called "blood kin." Consanguineal kin are relatives by birth, or so-called "blood kin."

Incest Taboo Rules exist in every society to govern sexuality and, just as marriage in its various forms is found in every culture, so is the incest taboo. Rules exist in every society to govern sexuality and, just as marriage in its various forms is found in every culture, so is the incest taboo. Incest taboo: the prohibition of sexual contract between certain close relatives, usually parent and child and sibling relations at a minimum. Incest taboo: the prohibition of sexual contract between certain close relatives, usually parent and child and sibling relations at a minimum.

Incest Taboo Anthropologists have long been fascinated by the incest taboo and have proposed many explanations for its cross-cultural existence and variation. Anthropologists have long been fascinated by the incest taboo and have proposed many explanations for its cross-cultural existence and variation. –Instinctive Horror: the simplest explanation, based on the idea of ‘human nature’ –Biological Problems: argues that the incest taboo developed in response to abnormal offspring born from incestuous unions. –Attempt and Contempt: argues that the incest taboo originated to direct sexual feelings away from one’s family to avoid disrupting the family structure and relations. –Marry out or Die out: a more accepted argument is that the taboo originated to ensure exogamy.

Question Although the incest taboo is Although the incest taboo is A.not found in all societies, anthropologists can satisfactorily explain its occurrence. B.found in some form in all societies, anthropologists do not have completely satisfactory explanations for its occurrence. C.found in some form in all societies, it sometimes does not include restrictions on sexual relations between parents and children of the opposite sex. D.not found in all societies, it always includes restrictions on sexual relations between parents and children of the opposite sex.

Question Although the incest taboo is found in some form in all societies, anthropologists do not have completely satisfactory explanations for its occurrence. Although the incest taboo is found in some form in all societies, anthropologists do not have completely satisfactory explanations for its occurrence.

Endogamy and Exogamy Endogamy: marriage within a particular group or category of individuals. Endogamy: marriage within a particular group or category of individuals. Exogamy: marriage outside the group. Exogamy: marriage outside the group. Endogamy and exogamy may operate in a single society, but do not apply to the same social unit. Endogamy and exogamy may operate in a single society, but do not apply to the same social unit.

Claude Levi-Strauss Claude Levi-Strauss saw exogamy as a form of inter-group social exchange in which “wife- giving” and “wife-taking” created social networks and alliances between distinct communities. Claude Levi-Strauss saw exogamy as a form of inter-group social exchange in which “wife- giving” and “wife-taking” created social networks and alliances between distinct communities. Building on this theory, other anthropologists have proposed that exogamy is an important means of building and maintaining political alliances and promoting trade between groups. Building on this theory, other anthropologists have proposed that exogamy is an important means of building and maintaining political alliances and promoting trade between groups.

Question Marriage within a particular group of individuals is called Marriage within a particular group of individuals is called A.incest. B.exogamy. C.monogamy. D.endogamy. E.polygamy.

Answer: D Marriage within a particular group of individuals is called endogamy. Marriage within a particular group of individuals is called endogamy.

Distinction Between Marriage and Mating Marriage, in its many forms, provides structure that helps control conflicts. Marriage, in its many forms, provides structure that helps control conflicts. Mates are secured and held solely through personal effort and mutual consent. Mates are secured and held solely through personal effort and mutual consent. Marriage is a culturally recognized right and is backed by social, political, and ideological factors that regulate sexual relations and reproductive rights and obligations. Marriage is a culturally recognized right and is backed by social, political, and ideological factors that regulate sexual relations and reproductive rights and obligations.

Question While mating is biological, marriage While mating is biological, marriage is _______________. is _______________.

Question While mating is biological, marriage is cultural. While mating is biological, marriage is cultural.