Which kinship system traces descent through both the mother's and the father's sides?

• A. Matrilineal
• B. Bilineal
• C. Cognatic
• D. Bilinear

Answer: (B)

Descent tracing describes how a society links people to kin across generations. When kinship and inheritance are recognized from both the mother’s side and the father’s side, the system is bilineal. This means you count relatives from both families rather than just one, shaping family obligations and lineage in a way that includes connections on both sides. Matrilineal and patrilineal systems, by contrast, follow only one line—the mother’s or the father’s, respectively. Cognatic or bilateral terms can be broader, sometimes covering either side or both, but bilineal specifically signals descent through both lines, matching the description precisely.