Work

Avunculate and Fosterage

Year: 1976

Type: book-chapter

Abstract: A survey of the Indo-European peoples shows that most of them knew an affectionate relationship of ego-mother's brother and mother's father in contrast with a more formal relationship -of ego-father and father's family. This is explained by the absence of the patria potestas for the maternal uncle and grandfather. The similarity of the latter roles will account for the derivation of the word for 'uncle' from'the one for 'grandfather'. The survey also shows that the role of the maternal grandfather was not negligible. The preference in fosterage for the maternal family is explained by the principle of education outside the (extended) family. Avunculate and fosterage are no arguments for a supposed matrilineal or matriarchal state.

Source: University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology)

Author: Jan Ν. Bremmer

Language: English

Topic: Linguistics and language evolution

Subfield: Language and Linguistics

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W140285214

FWCI:

Cites: 7

Cited by: 88

Related to: 10