Kinship and Marriage - Robin Fox

Robin Fox's classic introduction to kinship studies examines one of the central subjects of social anthropology: the ways human societies organise family relationships, marriage and descent. Drawing on ethnographic examples from cultures around the world, Fox explains the principles behind kinship systems, inheritance, residence patterns, clan organisation and marriage rules, showing how these structures shape both everyday life and wider social institutions.

Written with exceptional clarity, Kinship and Marriage became one of the standard introductory texts for students of anthropology and sociology. Rather than simply cataloguing customs, Fox explores the underlying logic of kinship systems, comparing different cultural approaches while considering the biological, social and historical factors that influence them. This enduring Pelican edition remains an accessible and insightful guide to one of anthropology's foundational fields, making it essential reading for anyone interested in family, culture and human society.