What is the primary characteristic of affinal kin?

Affinal kin refers to relatives that are acquired through marriage rather than through blood relations. When an individual marries, they create new familial ties with their spouse’s family, which includes in-laws such as parents-in-law, siblings-in-law, and so on. This connection is essential in many cultures, as it extends the network of kinship beyond biological ties, facilitating various social functions such as alliance-building and resource sharing.

In contrast, the other options focus on blood relations, lineage, or shared ancestry, which do not accurately define affinal relationships. The distinction of affinal kin emphasizes the importance of marriage in forming family structures and networks within societies, highlighting that kinship is not solely based on biological connection but also on social and legal bonds created through marital unions.