Which term describes the practice of marrying outside one's own kin group, often to form alliances?

Which term describes the practice of marrying outside one's own kin group, often to form alliances?

• A. Endogamy
• B. Exogamy
• C. Matrilineal
• D. Polygyny

Answer: (B)

Exogamy is the practice of marrying outside one's kin group to form alliances with other families or groups. This pattern helps create broader social and political networks, secure mutual obligations, and often gain access to resources or protection by linking distinct communities. Endogamy would be marrying within the same kin group, which is the opposite. Matrilineal describes descent traced through the mother’s line, not marriage choices, and polygyny refers to one man having multiple wives, not where a person marries.

Exogamy is the practice of marrying outside one's kin group to form alliances with other families or groups. This pattern helps create broader social and political networks, secure mutual obligations, and often gain access to resources or protection by linking distinct communities. Endogamy would be marrying within the same kin group, which is the opposite. Matrilineal describes descent traced through the mother’s line, not marriage choices, and polygyny refers to one man having multiple wives, not where a person marries.