What does bilateral descent mean?
Definitions for bilateral descent
bi·lat·eral de·scent
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word bilateral descent.
Princeton's WordNet
bilateral descentnoun
line of descent traced through both the maternal and paternal sides of the family
Wiktionary
bilateral descentnoun
descent traced from all biological descendants, regardless of sex and side of the family
bilateral descentnoun
descent traced from an ancestor, regardless of sex and side of the family of the intervening generations
ChatGPT
bilateral descent
Bilateral descent is a system of family lineage in which descent is traced through both the mother's and father's lines. This means that an individual's relatives or ancestors can belong to both the paternal and maternal sides. In this system, kinship and family ties are equally important on both sides of the family. This type of lineage is common in modern societies, particularly in Western cultures.
Wikidata
Bilateral descent
Bilateral descent 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 it is not used to form descent groups. While bilateral descent is increasingly the norm in Western culture, traditionally it is only found among relatively few groups in West Africa, India, Australia, Melanesia and Polynesia. Anthropologists believe that a tribal structure based on bilateral descent helps members live in extreme environments because it allows individuals to rely on two sets of families dispersed over a wide area. Under bilateral descent, every tribe member belongs to two clans, one through the father and another through the mother. For example, among the Himba, clans are led by the eldest male in the clan. Sons live with their father's clan and when daughters marry they go to live with the clan of their husband. However inheritance of wealth does not follow the patriclan but is determined by the matriclan i.e. a son does not inherit his father's cattle but his maternal uncle's instead.
Matched Categories
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of bilateral descent in Chaldean Numerology is: 6
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of bilateral descent in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6
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"bilateral descent." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/bilateral+descent>.
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