Bilateral Descent (Noun)
Meaning
Line of descent traced through both the maternal and paternal sides of the family.
Classification
Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas.
Examples
- The concept of bilateral descent allows individuals to claim inheritance and cultural ties from both their mother's and father's families.
- In many indigenous cultures, bilateral descent plays a significant role in determining one's clan affiliation and social status.
- The royal family's claim to the throne was based on bilateral descent, tracing their lineage through both the king's and queen's ancestral lines.
- Bilateral descent is a common practice in some African societies, where children are encouraged to learn about their ancestors from both the maternal and paternal sides.
- Genealogists often study bilateral descent patterns to reconstruct a comprehensive family tree that includes relatives from both the mother's and father's families.