A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

In a matrilocal family, where does the husband typically reside?

1. In his parents' house

2. In a separate house

3. In the wife's house

4. In a communal living space

The correct answer is: In the wife's house

In a matrilocal family, the husband typically resides in the wife's house. This family structure is centered around the wife's family and home, signifying a social system where a married couple lives near or with the wife's relatives. This arrangement often reflects the cultural norms and values of societies that emphasize matrilineal inheritance and the importance of women's roles in the family structure. In contrast, other options do not accurately represent the characteristics of a matrilocal family arrangement. For example, residing in his parents' house reflects a patrilocal system, while living in a separate house implies a more independent structure that is also inconsistent with matrilocal practices. Communal living spaces, though they may exist in various cultural contexts, do not specifically denote the matrilocal arrangement that is defined by the couple living in proximity to the wife's family.