Which term describes relatives through marriage?

The term that describes relatives through marriage is "affinal kin." This concept is essential in anthropology as it highlights the relationships created not by blood ties but through marriage and alliances between families. Affinal kinship is significant in many cultures, as it shapes social structures, influences inheritance practices, and establishes political or social alliances.

In contrast, terms like lineage refer to a direct descent from an ancestor and emphasize blood relationships. Cognatic descent relates to the kinship system that recognizes both maternal and paternal lines of descent, which again focuses on blood relations rather than those established through marriage. A clan typically consists of a larger group of families that are related through a common ancestor, which also points to a blood-based relationship rather than one forged through marriage. Understanding these distinctions is valuable in the study of kinship and social organization within various cultures.