IGNOU BSOC 109 SOCIOLOGY OF KINSHIP Free Solved Assignment 2022-23

IGNOU BSOC 109 Free Solved Assignment 2022-23, IGNOU BSOC 109 SOCIOLOGY OF KINSHIP Free Solved Assignment 2022-23 If you are interested in pursuing a course in radio production and direction, IGNOU BSOC 109 can be an excellent choice. In this article, we will take a closer look at what IGNOU BSOC 109 is all about and what you can expect to learn from this course.

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IGNOU BSOC 109 Free Solved Assignment 2022-23 is a course offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) under the School of Journalism and New Media Studies. As the name suggests, it is a course on “Production and Direction for Radio.” The course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of radio production and direction and covers various topics related to this field. IGNOU BSOC 109 Free Solved Assignment 2022-23

IGNOU BSOC 109 Free Solved Assignment 2022-23


Assignment A

Q1. Critically examine the descent approach to the study of kinship

The descent approach to the study of kinship is a method of examining how kinship is organized and understood in different societies. This approach focuses on tracing relationships through a person’s ancestry or descent, and it has been widely used in anthropology and sociology to understand the social and cultural significance of kinship ties.

One strength of the descent approach is that it can provide insights into how kinship is used to structure social and economic relationships within a society. By tracing descent lines, researchers can identify patterns of inheritance, marriage, and economic exchange that are linked to specific kinship groups. This can help to shed light on the social organization of different societies, and how kinship is used to create and maintain social hierarchies.

However, there are also some limitations to the descent approach. For one, it can be challenging to trace descent lines accurately, particularly in societies where the family structure is complex or where kinship is understood in non-biological terms. Additionally, the descent approach can sometimes overlook the significance of other types of kinship ties, such as those based on affinity or friendship. This can lead to an incomplete understanding of the role that kinship plays in shaping social relationships.

Another issue with the descent approach is that it can sometimes reinforce Eurocentric assumptions about the “natural” or “universal” nature of the nuclear family. This approach tends to focus on the transmission of kinship ties through biological relationships, which can marginalize other forms of family structures that are based on adoption, marriage, or friendship.

In conclusion, the descent approach to the study of kinship is a useful tool for understanding how kinship is organized and understood in different societies. However, it is important to recognize its limitations and to approach the study of kinship from a more holistic perspective that takes into account the full range of social and cultural factors that shape family relationships.

Q2. Examine the feminist contributions to the study of kinship

The descent approach to the study of kinship is a method of examining how kinship is organized and understood in different societies. This approach focuses on tracing relationships through a person’s ancestry or descent, and it has been widely used in anthropology and sociology to understand the social and cultural significance of kinship ties.

One strength of the descent approach is that it can provide insights into how kinship is used to structure social and economic relationships within a society. By tracing descent lines, researchers can identify patterns of inheritance, marriage, and economic exchange that are linked to specific kinship groups. This can help to shed light on the social organization of different societies, and how kinship is used to create and maintain social hierarchies.

However, there are also some limitations to the descent approach. For one, it can be challenging to trace descent lines accurately, particularly in societies where the family structure is complex or where kinship is understood in non-biological terms. Additionally, the descent approach can sometimes overlook the significance of other types of kinship ties, such as those based on affinity or friendship. This can lead to an incomplete understanding of the role that kinship plays in shaping social relationships.

Another issue with the descent approach is that it can sometimes reinforce Eurocentric assumptions about the “natural” or “universal” nature of the nuclear family. This approach tends to focus on the transmission of kinship ties through biological relationships, which can marginalize other forms of family structures that are based on adoption, marriage, or friendship.

In conclusion, the descent approach to the study of kinship is a useful tool for understanding how kinship is organized and understood in different societies. However, it is important to recognize its limitations and to approach the study of kinship from a more holistic perspective that takes into account the full range of social and cultural factors that shape family relationships.

Assignment B

Q3. How is marriage defined in kinship studies and what are its types?

In kinship studies, marriage is generally defined as a social and legal union between two individuals, typically involving the establishment of a household and the sharing of resources, rights, and obligations.

There are various types of marriages that are recognized in different cultures and societies. Some of the most common types of marriages include:

  • Monogamous Marriage: This is a type of marriage in which an individual is married to only one person at a time.
  • Polygamous Marriage: This is a type of marriage in which an individual is married to more than one person at a time. There are different forms of polygamous marriages, such as polygyny (a man marrying multiple women) and polyandry (a woman marrying multiple men).
  • Endogamous Marriage: This is a type of marriage in which individuals marry within their own social, cultural, or ethnic group.
  • Exogamous Marriage: This is a type of marriage in which individuals marry outside of their own social, cultural, or ethnic group.
  • Levirate Marriage: This is a type of marriage in which a man marries the widow of his deceased brother.
  • Sororate Marriage: This is a type of marriage in which a man marries the sister of his deceased wife.
  • Arranged Marriage: This is a type of marriage in which the decision to marry is made by the parents or other family members, rather than the individuals themselves.

The type of marriage that is practiced in a particular society can have a significant impact on social norms, family structure, and gender roles.

Q4. What are the distinctive features of North Indian kinship?

North Indian kinship is characterized by several distinctive features that differentiate it from other kinship systems. Some of these features are:

  • Patrilineal descent: North Indian kinship is based on patrilineal descent, which means that family membership, inheritance, and other rights are passed down through the father’s line. The patrilineage, or the group of people who trace their descent from a common male ancestor, is an important unit of social organization.
  • Joint family system: North Indian kinship is also characterized by the joint family system, in which several generations of a family live together under one roof. The eldest male member, usually the father or grandfather, is the head of the household and has authority over the other members.
  • Arranged marriages: Marriage in North Indian kinship is often arranged by the parents or other family members, rather than being a matter of personal choice. Marriages are seen as a way to strengthen family alliances and maintain social and economic ties.
  • Gender roles: North Indian kinship has well-defined gender roles, with men typically occupying positions of authority and responsibility within the family and society. Women are expected to be obedient and submissive to their male relatives and to take care of household duties and child-rearing.
  • Strong family ties: North Indian kinship places a strong emphasis on family ties and obligations. Family members are expected to provide support and assistance to each other, especially during times of crisis.
  • Caste system: The caste system is an important feature of North Indian kinship, with people being born into a particular caste that determines their social status and occupation. Marriage within one’s own caste is the norm, and inter-caste marriage is often frowned upon.

Q5. Write a note on New Reproductive Technologies

New Reproductive Technologies (NRTs) refer to medical interventions that enable individuals to conceive a child through non-traditional methods. These technologies have revolutionized the field of reproductive medicine, providing alternatives to traditional conception methods and offering solutions to infertility and genetic disorders. Some of the most widely used NRTs include in vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

IVF is the most common NRT, and involves fertilizing eggs outside the body and then transferring them to the uterus. GIFT and ZIFT involve transferring eggs and sperm directly into the fallopian tubes, while ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg. Other NRTs include egg and sperm donation, surrogacy, and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which allows for the selection of embryos without genetic disorders.

While NRTs offer hope to many people struggling with infertility, they also raise ethical and social concerns. For example, there are concerns about the safety of these procedures, the exploitation of women who serve as egg donors or surrogates, and the creation of “designer babies” through genetic selection. As NRTs continue to advance, it is important that we consider these issues and work to ensure that these technologies are used in ways that are safe, ethical, and equitable.

Assignment C

Q6. Patrilineage

Patrilineage refers to the descent or lineage traced through the male line. It is a way of tracing family or ancestral lineage through the paternal side of one’s family, from father to son, and so on. In patrilineal societies, inheritance, property, and social status are typically passed down through the male line. Patrilineages can also be traced through genetic markers or DNA testing, which can reveal information about a person’s paternal ancestry and relatedness to other individuals or groups.

Q7. Relatedness

Relatedness generally refers to the degree of similarity or connection between two or more things or concepts. The term can be used in various contexts, such as in genetics, linguistics, psychology, and sociology.

In genetics, relatedness is often used to describe the degree of genetic similarity between two individuals, typically measured by the proportion of shared genetic material or the degree of similarity between their DNA sequences.

In linguistics, relatedness refers to the degree of similarity between languages, particularly their vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. Languages that are closely related often share a common ancestor and are said to belong to the same language family.

In psychology and sociology, relatedness refers to the degree of connection or attachment between individuals, particularly in interpersonal relationships. It can refer to the extent to which individuals feel emotionally connected and empathetic towards one another, and can be influenced by factors such as shared experiences, cultural background, and social norms.

Q8. Descriptive Kinship terms

Descriptive kinship terms are words used to describe the relationship between family members. They are typically used to differentiate between the different types of family relationships, such as between parents and children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and uncles, and cousins.

Here are some common descriptive kinship terms:

  • Father – a male parent
  • Mother – a female parent
  • Son – a male child of a parent
  • Daughter – a female child of a parent
  • Brother – a male sibling
  • Sister – a female sibling
  • Grandfather – the father of a person’s parent
  • Grandmother – the mother of a person’s parent
  • Grandson – the son of a person’s child
  • Granddaughter – the daughter of a person’s child
  • Uncle – the brother of a person’s parent
  • Aunt – the sister of a person’s parent
  • Nephew – the son of a person’s sibling
  • Niece – the daughter of a person’s sibling
  • Cousin – the child of a person’s aunt or uncle

In some cultures, there may be additional descriptive kinship terms to reflect different types of relationships or to show respect for elders or extended family members.

Q9. Joint family

A joint family is a family structure where multiple generations of a family live together under one roof or in close proximity to each other. In a joint family, grandparents, parents, and children all live together and share common spaces, such as the kitchen, living room, and dining area.

Joint families are prevalent in many cultures around the world, particularly in Asian countries such as India, where they have been a traditional family structure for centuries. In such families, the patriarch or matriarch typically serves as the head of the household and is responsible for making important decisions for the family.

One of the advantages of a joint family is that it provides a strong support system for its members. Grandparents can help take care of the grandchildren while the parents are working, and siblings can support each other in times of need. It also allows for the pooling of resources, which can help reduce financial strain on individual family members.

However, joint families can also come with challenges. Living in close proximity to one’s relatives can lead to conflicts and disagreements, and there may be different opinions on how to raise children or manage finances. Additionally, the patriarch or matriarch may have a lot of power and control over the family, which can lead to issues of hierarchy and lack of autonomy for other family members.

Overall, the decision to live in a joint family or not is a personal one and depends on the individual preferences and values of the family members involved.

Q10. Levi-Strauss’ understanding of alliance

Claude Lévi-Strauss was a French anthropologist and ethnologist who contributed greatly to the development of structuralism in anthropology. He is best known for his theory of cultural structures and the analysis of myth.

One of Lévi-Strauss’s most significant contributions to anthropology is his understanding of alliance, which he developed in his book “The Elementary Structures of Kinship” (1949). According to Lévi-Strauss, alliance is the social process through which two or more groups come together and establish social relationships based on the exchange of women.

Lévi-Strauss argued that marriage and kinship are not just biological or psychological phenomena, but are also social and cultural institutions that serve to create and maintain social relationships between groups. In his analysis, Lévi-Strauss emphasized the role of exchange in the creation of alliances and argued that the exchange of women is a fundamental element in the establishment of social relationships between groups.

For Lévi-Strauss, the exchange of women serves as a mechanism for creating and maintaining social relationships between groups, and it allows for the formation of larger social structures. By exchanging women, groups are able to create new alliances and reinforce existing ones, creating a network of relationships that links individuals and groups across space and time.

Overall, Lévi-Strauss’s understanding of alliance emphasizes the social and cultural dimensions of marriage and kinship, and highlights the important role that exchange plays in the creation and maintenance of social relationships between groups.

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