Anthropological Perspectives on Kinship (Anthropology, Culture and Society)

In this volume Ladislav Holy considers the extent to which overridingly Western assumptions have guided anthropological studies of kinship. This is the first introductory text on the subject to consider changes in the conceptualisation of kinship brought about by new reproductive technologies and the growing interest in culturally specific notions of personhood and gender. Holy reveals a growing sensitivity on the part of anthropologists to individual ideas of personhood and gender, and encourages further critical reflection on cultural bias in approaches to the subject. Linking kinship with wider debates in anthropology and the social sciences in a lucid, jargon free study, Anthropological Perspectives on Kinship is an invaluable introduction to current practice for specialists and non-specialists alike. 'Largely eschews polemic in favour of the balanced approach appropriate to a good lecture course.' Social Anthropology This authoritative introductory text takes into account the changes in the conceptualisation of kinship brought about by new reproductive technologies and the growing interest in culturally specific notions of personhood and gender. Holy considers the extent to which Western assumptions have guided anthropological study of kinship in the past. In the process, he reveals a growing sensitivity on the part of anthropologists to individual ideas of personhood and gender, and encourages further critical reflection on cultural bias in approaches to the subject. This authoritative introductory text takes into account the changes in the conceptualisation of kinship brought about by new reproductive technologies and the growing interest in culturally specific notions of personhood and gender.

Holy considers the extent to which Western assumptions have guided anthropological study of kinship in the past. In the process, he reveals a growing sensitivity on the part of anthropologists to individual ideas of personhood and gender, and encourages further critical reflection on cultural bias in approaches to the subject. Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Contents -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- 1 First Principles -- 2 Kinship, Descent and Marriage -- 3 Kinship and the Domestic Domain -- 4 Descent and the Public Domain I: Lineage Theory -- 5 Descent and the Public Domain II: Matrilineal and Cognatic Descent -- 6 Marriage and Alliance -- 7 Universality of Kinship and the Current Practice of Kinship Studies -- References -- Index

explores New Developments In Kinship Studies In Anthropology -- Including The Impact Of New Reproductive Technologies And Changing Conceptualisations Of Personhood And Gender.