Eskimo kinship

Eskimo kinship (also referred to as Lineal kinship) is a concept of used to define  in. Identified by in his  work Systems of Consanguinity and Affinity of the Human Family, the Eskimo system was one of six major kinship systems (Eskimo,, , , , and ). Morgan's system of classification is considered obsolete in current mainstream anthropology.

Kinship system
The system places no distinction between patrilineal and matrilineal relatives, instead focusing on differences in kinship distance (the closer the relative is, the more distinguished). The system also emphasizes the, identifying directly only the mother, father, brother, and sister (lineal relatives). All other relatives are grouped together into categories. It uses both classificatory and descriptive terms, differentiating between gender, generation, lineal relatives (relatives in the direct line of descent), and collateral relatives (blood relatives not in the direct line of descent).

Parental siblings are distinguished only by their sex (Aunt, Uncle). All children of these individuals are lumped together regardless of sex (Cousins). Unlike the, Ego's parents are clearly distinguished from their siblings.

Occurrence
The Eskimo system is comparatively rare among the world's kinship systems and is at present used in most Western societies (such as those of modern-day or ). A small number of peoples also use it (such as the  tribe of ).

The system is largely used in societies where the dominant relatives are the immediate family. In most Western societies, the nuclear family represents an independent social and economic group, further emphasizing the immediate kinship. The tendency in Western societies to live apart and interact with extended family only on a ceremonial basis also reinforces this.

Terminology
Eskimo is the accepted term used by Alaska Natives today. Iñupiaq speakers (Iñupiat) are in the Arctic region of northern and northwestern Alaska. Yup'ik speakers (Yup'iit) are in the western and southwestern, sub-Arctic portion of Alaska.

Sources & external links

 * William Haviland, Cultural Anthropology, Wadsworth Publishing, 2002. ISBN 0-534-27479-X
 * The nature of kinship
 * The Encyclopedia of North American Indians