Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
'Largely eschews polemic in favour of the balanced approach appropriate to a good lecture course. --Social Anthropology
Synopsis
Explores new developments in kinship studies in anthropology -- including the impact of new reproductive technologies and changing conceptualisations of personhood and gender.
About the Author
Ladislav Holy was Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews and the author of several publications including Kinship, Honour and Solidarity: Cousin Marriage in the Middle East (1989). He died in 1997.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: First principles
Chapter 2: Kinship, descent and marriage
Chapter 3: Kinship and the domestic domain
Chapter 4: Descent and the public domain I: lineage theory
Chapter 5: Descent and the public domain II: matrilineal and cognatic descent
Chapter 6: Marriage and alliance
Chapter 7: Universality of kinship and the current practice of kinship studies
Notes
Index