Bilateral descent
Bilateral Descent
Bilateral descent (pronunciation: bi-lat-er-al de-scent) is a system of family lineage in which the relatives on the mother's side and father's side are equally important for emotional ties or for transfer of property or wealth. It is a family arrangement where descent and inheritance are passed equally through both parents. Families who use this system trace descent through both parents simultaneously and recognize multiple ancestors, but unlike with cognatic descent, descent is not used for determining heirs, such as in inheritance disputes. Instead, it is used for forming ties and bonds, and plays a role in determining marriage partners.
Etymology
The term "bilateral descent" is derived from two Latin words: "bi" meaning two, and "lateral" meaning side. "Descent" comes from the Latin word "descendere" meaning to descend. So, the term literally means "descent from two sides".
Related Terms
- Unilineal descent: This is a system of determining descent groups in which one belongs to one's father's or mother's line, whereby one's descent is traced either through male ancestors (patrilineality) or female ancestors (matrilineality).
- Cognatic descent: This is a mode of descent calculated from an ancestor or ancestress counted through any combination of male and female links.
- Ambilineality: This is a system of bilateral descent that affiliates an individual more or less equally with relatives on the mother's and father's sides.
- Kinship: This is the web of social relationships that form an important part of the lives of most humans in most societies.
- Inheritance: This is the practice of passing on property, titles, debts, rights, and obligations upon the death of an individual.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Bilateral descent
- Wikipedia's article - Bilateral descent
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