What is a kinship system? How are kinship systems organized?

Question

What is a kinship system? How are kinship systems organized?

Answer 1

A kinship system is a method of naming the relationships of related people in order "1) to provide continuity between generations and 2) define the group of people who can depend on each other for mutual help."  The link below provides more information on what kinship systems work, and on the six basic kinship systems that exist throughout the world.

Answer 2

a kinship system is the way close relations are organized and usually includes the names that are given for specific kin.  there are many different systems and each is indicative of how close relations are considered.  in hawaii, for example, aunts are called mother, uncles father and cousins brother and sister.  this is relatively consistent with most polynesian islands.  in vietnam each cousin and sibling has a name which indicates whether they are older or younger than the speaker.  it's all pretty interesting, especially as an anthropology geek.