Author Description
Originally published in 1963 by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, this volume treats a wide array of topics, including plural marriage, unilineal kin groups, arranged marriage, bride price, marriage ceremonial, rules against adultery, role of husband and wife, and family deference customs.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the structural and functional variations of family systems across diverse global cultures. William N. Stephens, an anthropologist, synthesizes cross-cultural data to examine how different societies organize kinship, marriage, and domestic roles. The work provides a comparative framework for understanding the universality and diversity of human family arrangements.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of plural marriage and unilineal kin groups
- Examination of marriage customs including bride price and ceremonial practices
- Discussion of social norms regarding adultery and family deference
- Comparative study of husband and wife role expectations
Scope Limits
- Data is limited to anthropological research available prior to 1963
- The text does not address contemporary shifts in family structure post-1960s
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this work as a classic comparative text in the field of family anthropology. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and its utility as a foundational reference for understanding historical cross-cultural kinship patterns.
Page Count:
460
Publication Date:
1963-12-01
Publisher:
Holt Rinehart and Winston
ISBN-10:
0030122058
ISBN-13:
9780030122057
Ethnography
Anthropology
Sociology
Family Studies
Community Tags
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