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Kinship and Emotional Closeness

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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science

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Synonyms

Alloparents; Extended family; Family; Family of orientation

Definitions

Gharwale, Biradari, Donor families

Introduction

Recent changes in definitions of the family bring forth issues related to defining kinship and concerns over the positive contributions of kinship. Many have alluded that strong kinship is limited to families in developing nations and in light of the lack of societal emphasis on Kin, the topic remains empirically unexamined.

Contributions of Kinship

The family performs crucial functions and satisfies many human needs, such as the provision of economic security, socialization of children, a satisfaction of sexual needs, and love and warmth (Wolf 1966; Choldin 1973). Although other societal institutions can gratify these needs, the family as an institution can execute the above-listed tasks with modest costs and in a more competent manner. Immediate family members and Kin are more competent as they are genuinely concerned and committed, and culturally...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Development, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY, USA

    Mamta Saxena

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  1. Mamta Saxena
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Correspondence to Mamta Saxena .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Rochester, MI, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Oklamoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

    Jaimie Arona Krems

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Saxena, M. (2020). Kinship and Emotional Closeness. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1123-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1123-1

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