Genealogical Method Of Anthropology Essay

As is found with many research techniques, the genealogical method of anthropology contains both strengths and limitations in its design and application. The duality of this claim is best understood when applying the technique to contemporary forms of the family, as well as non-Westernize familial forms. Although an efficient and easily adaptable technique, the fundamental premises with which the technique is based upon are clearly that of the dominant social constructs of and about the family in 1910 Western society, “organizations based on parentage and marriage” (Schwimmer, 2003), specifically the nuclear family. Moreover, R.H.R. Rivers pioneered this technique during the 1898-1899 expedition of the Torres Strait. While attempting to map the social organization of the Torres’ people. Accordingly, Rivers collected pedigree information by way of engaging informants (village elders) whom he termed Ego. …show more content…
The Nandi of western Kenya for example, rely on a practice woman/woman marriages where a female identifies as the male (female husband) head of a household in order to bestow property to the son of her wife (Smith Oboler, 2000). Regina Smith Oboler (1980) explain that the Nandi adhere to patrilineal society practices were only men are permitted to hold property and the means of production, resulting in women seeking out this arrangement only for the purpose of holding and distributing property. The female husband assumes the figurehead position of the head of the family including the sociocultural accepted gender specific roles of a man, however does not engage in sexual intimacy with their wife. The genealogical method does not include a kin term identifying the female husband therefore the role occupied by this person has no significance within genealogical kinship even though they play a significant role within Nandi