Sibling terminology and cross-sex behavior

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 69 • Published In • Pages: 179-187 •
By Nerlove, Sara, Romney, A. Kimball

Abstract

This article examines variation in kinship terminology. The authors develop a new typology of kinds of kinship terminologies, and they propose that terminologies will distinguish siblings of the same and opposite gender when there is a cultural emphasis on cross-sex relations. Empirical analysis supports that a prolonged post-partum sex taboo (rather than sibling avoidance) predicts the presence of a primary cross-parallel component in sibling terminology.
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas  Amelia Piazza