A decline In Matrilineal:
In matrilineal kinship structures, property and power descended through the mother’s line, with a number of important structural consequences_that have been generally analyzed in the anthropological literature. In the contemporary world, matrilineages begin to dissolve for the reasons that both social and economic decisions place responsibility for the family on the father, rather than sister’s brother; new laws are Imposed that give freedom to the father, so that he can pass on his property to his own children, rather than to his sister’s children. In many matrilineal societies, some women had high symbolic rank, but these posts lend to disappear’ in the industrial world, as being of no politico-economic importance. Thus it is likely that people in matrilineal societies begin to-move toward a patrilineal or bilineal pattern
A decline in influence of corporate kin groups:
The wide range of lineage systems in tribal societies could be expected to decline power and importance, for all the reasons we have noted earlier.
A decrease in the prevalence of the dowry or bride price:
This is not a prediction that the amount will decline, since where such systems are maintained at all. Inflation alone where such systems are maintained at aIl inflation alone would increase the use of properly demanded. Both dowry and bride price can. in modern settings, approach more closely the western pattern of gift exchanges on both sides- a system that looks similar but Is very different. But the prediction is nevertheless that there will be a decline the prevalence of the dowry and bride price, especially as young people increasingly make their own decisions about marriages, and have jobs of their own that will permit them some freedom to setup their own households. Even were they continue, they do not continue to serve the needs of the kin line, but of the new family unit.
An increase in age homogamy:
The average difference In age between men and women narrows over time partly because of a rise in women’s age at marriage, in countries -where that age was once very low. This trend also occurs because old men cannot so easily buy young brides as in the past, and young people increasingly make their own decisions about marriage, while their preference is likely to be in favor of mates about their own age.
A decrease in kin Marriages:
A smaller percentages of marriages occur between people who are relatively close kin, such as cousins of various degrees. This means a decline in the wide range of preferential marriages in traditional societies, but it also includes a large number of kin marriages in western countries, where elders made efforts to keep the properly within the family.
A movement to medium or high divorce rates:
An increase in the number of women holding jobs independently:
In all societies throughout the world history, women have worked. In many societies they also held jobs that paid wages. Until very recently, in world history, very few women got those jobs, or were promoted in them, without the permission or the active help of their make kin. The modem movement is toward greater independence in this area.
An increase in womens rights:
This descriptive statement will occasion some controversy, since many ardent feminists assert there has been no significant change under industrialization, while others have argued that women were given equality with men as some legendary knowledge it goes. However, if we continue ourselves to the era preceding industrialization, and to period of relatively moderate or advanced industrialization. the trend towords greater equality of women’s status seems clear enough.
Less control by parents over children courtship and mate choices:
Parents steadily lose the ability to decide whom their children will court or marry. We have already noted the many factors in the modern world that generate this loss of control.
More sexual freedom:
More tribal societies have been more liberal in sexual matters than the great civilizations of the past and than western societies. It may also be necessary to remind some western readers who have been beguiled by myths concerning the natural, guilt free approach to sex found in eastern countries that the historical data do not support such a description, though rich males could enjoy relatively free sexual lives. In any event wherever sexual freedom was highly restricted industrialization brings greater freedom with it, because its ideology asserts the right of individual who does no wish to follow traditional ways.
Increasing age at marriage for women:
Child marriages steadily decrease in societies where that was common. This occurs partly because women obtain more education, and are worth more on the marriage market when they do; because adults cannot so easily control their male or their female children’s choices; and because political pressures are set against very young marriages.