The Relationship Between Kinship Systems and Social Structures

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between kinship systems and social structures using a mixed-methods experimental design that integrated ethnographic insights with quantitative analysis. Data were collected from 500 participants across three communities representing patrilineal, matrilineal, and bilateral kinship systems. Quantitative findings revealed that kinship network density (KND), inheritance rights, and community participation significantly predicted measures of social cohesion and governance robustness. Regression models confirmed that communities with higher KND and stronger inheritance norms displayed greater continuity scores, while correlation matrices showed strong associations between kinship obligations and governance participation. Longitudinal analysis further demonstrated a gradual decline in kinship obligations over two decades, though rituals and symbolic practices maintained continuity across generations.

Qualitative findings enriched these results by highlighting how kinship is narrated as a moral obligation that extends beyond biological ties to encompass ritual affiliation, caregiving, and social reciprocity. Narratives from interviews and observations revealed that kinship serves as a cultural framework that legitimizes governance, structures economic exchange, and preserves intergenerational identity. Regional comparisons showed that while patrilineal systems reinforced authority and inheritance, matrilineal frameworks supported gender equity, and bilateral systems facilitated adaptability under conditions of migration and modernization. Collectively, these findings underscore that kinship is not merely a traditional structure but a dynamic and evolving institution that anchors social cohesion, governance, and cultural resilience. The study concludes that recognizing the central role of kinship can inform policies and programs aimed at strengthening community participation, equity, and sustainable social development