Descent theory

Descent theory refers to how people trace their ancestry or heritage. In general knowledge, it explains the system by which individuals identify their family connections, often through shared lineage, such as being a child or grandchild. Descent can be matrilineal (tracing ancestry through the mother) or patrilineal (through the father). This concept influences social structures, inheritance, and cultural identity, affecting how individuals relate to their families and communities over generations. Understanding descent helps clarify roles, responsibilities, and connections among people within a society.