The Javanese family: a study of kinship and socialization

Geertz, Hildred

Book

The Javanese family: a study of kinship and socialization

Free Press of Glencoe • [New York] • Published In 1961 • Pages:

By: Geertz, Hildred.

Abstract
Geertz examines in this source the nature of the contributions of the Javanese kinship system (bilateral with the nuclear family as the most important kinship group) to the stability and continuity of Javanese society. Her investigation in the town of Modjokuto includes an examination of the structure of the Javanese kinship system (including kinship terminology, kindred and affinal relatives, household composition, property division at divorce and death, marriage) and the functioning of the Javanese kinship system (including customs at pregnancy and childbirth, infant care and training, social relationships in childhood, adolescence, adulthood, Javanese values and the family). She concludes that "Certain diffuse, general social values provide legitimacy and meaning to familial institutions and serve as normative guides for the daily give-and-take among family members. These same social values may also be important elements in some non-familial institutions, such as the structure of authority and social control within the community." (p. 146) These social values include the Javanese concept of "respect" and "harmonious social appearances."

Termination of marriage

Social readjustments to death