A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

Which type of family structure involves the wife living in the husband’s house?

1. Matrilineal family

2. Matrilocal family

3. Patrilocal family

4. Polygamous family

The correct answer is: Patrilocal family

The correct answer is the type of family structure where the wife lives in the husband’s house is known as a patrilocal family. In a patrilocal system, upon marriage, the wife moves into the husband’s household or community, which is often associated with societies that prioritize patrilineal descent and inheritance. This arrangement typically reflects traditional gender roles and expectations within a patriarchal structure, where the husband is viewed as the head of the household. Understanding the other options clarifies why they do not fit this description. A matrilineal family emphasizes the lineage and inheritance being traced through the mother’s side rather than the father’s, which may not necessarily involve living arrangements dictated by the husband's household. A matrilocal family, conversely, refers to when the husband moves into the wife's household after marriage, opposite to the concept of patrilocality. A polygamous family involves having multiple spouses, which does not pertain to a specific living arrangement but rather the number of marriages or partners involved.