Avoidance, social affiliation, and the incest taboo

Ethnology • Vol/Iss. 5 • Published In 1966 • Pages: 304-316 •

By Sweetser, Dorrian Apple

Abstract

This article examines parent-in-law avoidance in non-industrial societies. The author suggests that in-law avoidance is associated with characteristics of kinship structure, such as lineality, residence and family type. A psychological interpretation is also offered. Results support hypotheses relating to kinship structure.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
HRAF Collection of Ethnography (paper/fiche)
compendium of coded data

Hypotheses (4)
Hypothesis	Supported
"Men avoid their parents-in-law in societies with a strong lineal emphasis but which have fragmented and impermanent family groups" (313)	Supported
"Women avoid their parents-in-law in the same type of situation [as men do], and in addition they are likely to avoid if the mother's brother has no role to play" (313)	Supported
"Residence proved to be unrelated to avoidance [of parents-in-law] by either husband or wife" (313)	Supported
Contrary to the findings of William N. Stephens no significant association was found between avoidance and a long postpartum sex taboo (311)	Not Supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas Megan Farrer

Avoidance, social affiliation, and the incest taboo

Ethnology • Vol/Iss. 5 • Published In 1966 • Pages: 304-316 • Cite

By Sweetser, Dorrian Apple

Abstract

Samples

Hypotheses (4)

Ethnology • Vol/Iss. 5 • Published In 1966 • Pages: 304-316 •