Kinship Type Analysis
The question describes a situation where Reena uses the term mausi (maternal aunt) for Sheena's mother, even though they are neighbours who grew up together. This suggests the term is not based on a biological relationship but on a social one.
Understanding Fictive Kinship
Mausi literally translates to 'mother's sister', a biological or marital relation. However, in many cultures, familial terms are extended to non-relatives to signify closeness and social bonds. This practice creates relationships that mimic biological kinship but are socially constructed.
Fictive kinship refers to these socially recognized kinship ties that are not based on blood ties (consanguinity) or marriage (affinity). Close friends, neighbours, or community members who are treated as family fall under this category.
In this scenario, Reena applying the term mausi to Sheena's mother signifies a strong, friendly relationship treated as familial, making it a prime example of fictive kinship.
Evaluating Other Kinship Types
- Telescoping: This involves merging different time periods or generations, which doesn't apply here.
- Surrogate kinship: This implies acting in place of an absent relative. While potentially related, fictive kinship is a more direct and broader term for this social usage.
- Matrilineal kinship: This relates to descent traced through the mother's line, which is not relevant to the term used for a neighbour.
Therefore, the use of mausi for a neighbour's mother clearly illustrates fictive kinship.
Important Questions from Indian Family, Marriage & Kinship
- Who developed the concept of ‘seed and earth' as a way to understand the gendered division of labour and cultural construction of gender?
- Which of the following option(s) is/are CORRECT?
- Flavia Agnes (2013) writes, “Despite all the positive impact of the campaign revolving it, the Delhi gang rape incident does not foreground the different types of violations that take place in our society. Rather, it reinforces the popular perception that rape takes place in lonely places, late at night, by strangers and that rapists are brutes or psychopaths who deserve to be hanged. But most rapes take place in the privacy of our homes, in our schools. Rapes by family members are seldom reported."
From the above excerpt, which of the following statement(s) is/are CORRECT?
i. Progressive mobilisations protesting violence against women can themselves reproduce patriarchy
ii. Contrary to popular perception, sexual violence against women happens only in the privacy of our homes
iii. According to popular perception, rapists are brutes or psychopaths Patriliny is a kinship term that refers to_________.
- Which of the following author(s) highlighted the connection between kinship terminology and kinship structure in India?
