How is kinship defined in anthropology?

Kinship in anthropology is primarily understood as the system of relationships that connects individuals through blood ties and marriage. This definition underscores the significance of familial bonds and the social structures that stem from biological and marital connections. Anthropologists study kinship not only to understand family dynamics but also to explore how these relationships influence social organization, inheritance, and the transmission of cultural values and norms within cultures.

While legal relationships among individuals exist, they do not necessarily encompass the broader social and cultural implications of kinship, which includes emotional and supportive dimensions. Religious connections and affiliations may play a role in certain aspects of kinship, but they are not central to the anthropological definition. Lastly, while friendships and social affiliations can form networks of support and community, they fall outside the specific framework of kinship, as they do not rely on blood relations or marital ties. Thus, kinship is particularly focused on those connections that are established through biological descent or legal marriage within a cultural context.