Cousinship

Cousinship refers to the relationship between individuals who share common ancestors but are not siblings. For example, your first cousins are the children of your parents' siblings. The degree of cousinship depends on how many generations back they share a common ancestor; first cousins share grandparents, second cousins share great-grandparents, and so on. The concept helps map family connections and kinship terminology, clarifying how people are related within extended families. It’s a fundamental aspect of familial relationships that helps us understand our place within a larger family network.