A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

In a matrilineal family structure, ancestry is traced through which parent?

1. Father

2. Mother

3. Both parents

4. Grandparents

The correct answer is: Mother

In a matrilineal family structure, ancestry and lineage are traced through the mother. This means that individuals inherit their family identity, property, and social status from their mother's side of the family rather than their father's. This system often places women in central roles in terms of family lineage and heritage. In many cultures with a matrilineal system, descent, inheritance, and the transmission of family names follow the maternal line, making the mother the primary figure in defining family ties and responsibilities. This stands in contrast to patrilineal systems, where lineage is traced through the father’s side, and it highlights the variation in familial structures across different societies.