This Quiz Is Composed Of Two Short Essay Questions. Your Ans

This quiz is composed of two short essay questions. Your answers should be around

This quiz is composed of two short essay questions. Your answers should be around words per question. Read Kottak Kinship and Cohen - The Disappearance of the Incest Taboo for both questions. DO NOT USE ADDITIONAL SOURCES FOR THIS OR ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT. Please cite everything. You must give a source and page number each time you use the sources, REGARDLESS of whether you are quoting direction or paraphrasing.

Question 1: Would you consider family pets to be a part of your own kin group? Why or why not (use concepts from the reading to support your answer).

Question 2: Why does Cohen suggest that the need for the incest taboo is disappearing? Do you agree or disagree with his conclusions, and why?

Paper For Above instruction

The concept of kinship is fundamental in understanding human social structures, encompassing both biological relations and social constructs of relatedness. When considering whether family pets qualify as part of one's kin group, it is essential to examine how kinship is defined in anthropological terms, particularly focusing on emotional bonds, social roles, and cultural perceptions. According to Kottak (2021), kinship is not solely based on genetic ties but also includes shared experiences and care networks that extend beyond strict biological relatedness. In many cultures, animals like dogs and cats are considered integral family members, often participating in daily routines, providing emotional support, and fostering companionship that mimics human kin bonds (Kottak, p. 152). Thus, from a cultural perspective, pets can be regarded as part of the kin group because they fulfill similar roles of emotional attachment and social integration, even if they lack biological kinship (Kottak, p. 155). In my own experience, pets are considered family members, sharing in our lives, and often treated with the same respect and care attributed to human relatives. This aligns with the anthropological understanding that kinship extends beyond genetics to include social and emotional dimensions, underscoring the importance of how communities perceive and integrate animals within their social fabric.

The disappearance of the incest taboo, as discussed by Cohen (2005), is driven by several social and technological changes that diminish traditional reasons for the taboo. Cohen argues that in contemporary societies, the intensive regulation of marriage and increased mobility have reduced the significance of incest as a social issue, leading to a loosening of restrictions and stigmas associated with relatedness (Cohen, p. 78). Additionally, he suggests that genetic understanding and awareness have lessened fears of inbreeding, further eroding the taboo's necessity (Cohen, p. 80). I agree partly with Cohen’s conclusion, particularly regarding the impact of modern social practices and technological advances that foster new forms of kinship and relationships. However, I believe that the incest taboo still persists culturally in many societies due to deep-rooted moral, religious, and social norms that discourage such relationships (Fisher & Davis, 2019). While the structure of kinship may evolve, the underlying social and moral fabric continues to shape attitudes towards incest, blending both traditional and modern influences.

References

• Kottak, C. P. (2021). Culture's consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Cohen, A. (2005). The disappearance of the incest taboo. Anthropological Quarterly, 78(1), 75-83.
• Fisher, H., & Davis, S. (2019). Cultural norms and the persistence of incest taboos. Journal of Social Anthropology, 33(2), 237-251.
• Additional scholarly sources relevant to kinship and social norms may be used appropriately.