Introduction to Anthropology

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel is smiling as he looks down at a photograph, before tucking it in the back of his notebook which he has not doodled on. It's serious work in it, damnit

"Good morning, I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend. I'm sorry I missed it; I had the chance to go and see an old friend whilst she was in the country again. If anyone wanted me to talk to their parents, let me know, and I'll write a letter home or something." Daniel grins as he looks around the class, clearly not expecting anyone to take him up on the offer.

"Today is our penultimate lesson on marriage. On Wednesday, I'm going to be discussing examples as long as the mun can find her notes and/or textbook

But for now, we're going to look at exchange and marriage.

Marriage often includes an exchange of wealth, symbolizing the binding contract between individuals and kin groups.

Bridewealth (bride price)
o Payment given upon marriage by the family of the groom to the family of the bride
o The exchange legitimates the marriage
o The value of the wealth transacted puts bride and groom under pressure to make marriage a success
o The exchange may ensure fair treatment of the wife when she moves in with husband's kin
o Mechanism for relatively equitable distribution of goods within a society

Bride service
o Requirement that men work for the bride's family for a period
o Time involved may be several weeks to several years

Dowry
o Transfer of goods or money from bride's family to groom or groom's family
o A strategy parents may use to marry daughter into higher status family
o Sometimes features a political element, building alliances
o The exchange legitimates the union
o The transaction again puts pressure on bride and groom to make marriage a success

Exchange of women
o Men may exchange classificatory sisters or daughters as wives
o Senior men may arrange such unions for their sons and younger brothers
o Sometimes features childhood arrangements (child betrothal)

Okay... anyone want to guess what homework is?" He grins. "I would like another example from a culture about one of these exchanges. And if we can try and choose different cultures to the ones from last week, I'd very much appreciate it."

Comments

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[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Here

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[positive-angel.livejournal.com]

Chihaya signs in.

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[sharon-valerii.livejournal.com]

*signs in*

[I am so glad you didn't boot me from class! *clings to class*]

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[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

*signs in*

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[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Mr Mitchell? Have you developed a new enthusiasm for anthropology? I'm happy to have you in the class, if you wish to join in...

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[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

"I missed you, sir?" Cameron looks sheepish. "Wrong class, sir."

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[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

"I'm touched, Cameron," Daniel grins. "Come back later. You don't want to miss child bearing and family life in Ancient Egypt!"

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[egyptianlove.livejournal.com]

Evelyn signs in.

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[harried-potter.livejournal.com]

*signs in*

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[studentwillow.livejournal.com]

Willow signs in

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[suzotchka.livejournal.com]

Ivanova signs in, still in full Wonder Woman glory.

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[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel blinks. "Nice outfit, Ms Ivanova."

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[suzotchka.livejournal.com]

Ivanova has stopped blushing over the costume. "Thanks. It was too great to waste on just one night."

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[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

*signs in*

Class discussion and questions

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Here

Re: Class discussion and questions

[positive-angel.livejournal.com]

Chihaya sits and stares at the discussion. All this talk about marriage was beginning to make him very uncomfortable and quite self conscious. He sighs and tries to concentrate.

Re: Class discussion and questions

[sharon-valerii.livejournal.com]

Sharon bounces into class and settles down at a desk, taking very attentive notes. There might be one or two moments where she fiddles with the wig she's still wearing, but otherwise, she seems perfectly studious.

[*reposts in appropriate place*]

Re: Class discussion and questions

[studentwillow.livejournal.com]

Willow raises her hand.

"Um, Doctor Jackson?"

He acknowledges her with a wave.

"I was just wondering if marriage today really makes any sense, since women aren't considered property anymore, at least not in the United States and most other countries like ours.

I mean, I've been hearing all these people fighting about how if gay people get married it's going to totally ruin our society, but I can't figure out how that might be so, unless maybe they want us all to become commodities, like cattle or something"

Re: Class discussion and questions

[suzotchka.livejournal.com]

Ivanova completely agrees with her, raises a silent fist in solidarity, and waits for the professor's answer.

Re: Class discussion and questions

[sharon-valerii.livejournal.com]

Sharon considers adding that she belongs to no man, but figures everyone might already know that. Instead, she waits for the professor's answer.

Re: Class discussion and questions

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Daniel smiles. "But marriage isn't solely based on property, and financial exchange, Willow. You're right... women aren't considered property anymore in the US. The real nature of marriage is a binding legal, social and personal commitment between two people to take on special obligations to each other. My first wife came from a society where marriage was considered a form of exchange, but I married her because I loved her. When Should I marry again, it will be because I will be in love and want what marriage offers people."

He pauses, and looks wistful for a moment, before realizing that he still hadn't finished his answer.

"There's lots of arguments against gay marriage... I don't think it's that they want us all to become commodities. "Marriage is an institution between one man and one woman. Same-sex couples aren't the optimum environment in which to raise children. Gay relationships are immoral." Most reasons can quite easily be disproved, but that doesn't stop people from campaiging against itstill."

Homework

[the-ascended.livejournal.com]

Here

Re: Homework

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

*turns in his homework and is sorry for the delayed response but work was kind of insane today*

Re: Homework

[suzotchka.livejournal.com]

*Ivanova turns in a few paragraphs on the intricacies of Pak'Mara marriage customs*

[["I seen a naked Pak'Mara once. Y'know that hump under their cloak? It ain't a hump."]]

Re: Homework

[egyptianlove.livejournal.com]

Evelyn hands in her homework here.