The goal of this chapter is to give students an understanding of both the commonalities and differences in the way human groups define and relate to kin. Standard topics of kinship and descent are covered with a functionalist approach as an anchor paradigm. (Other models for analysis may be presented in lectures as counterpoints). For the section on terminological systems, only the Eskimo, Iroquois, and Hawaiian Systems are discussed in detail. This is another case of the "less being more" philosophy of this text. At the introductory level if students engage with and understand these terminological systems, they will be able to analyze other systems. The Try This prompts encourage students to analyze their own cultural traditions with respect to kinship and the traditions of other cultures.