Aleut - Marriage and Family

Marriage. Precontact Aleut matrilineages were likely exogamous, with a boy's preferred marriage partner being the daughter of his mother's brother. Polygamy occurred, with polygyny more common than polyandry. Postmarital Residence was flexible; a couple might live matrilocally at first and then patrilocally, perhaps after the birth of their first child.

Domestic Unit. Aleut houses ( barabaras ) were multi-family units. Although some houses were occupied by Perhaps a pair of related nuclear families, others were larger and served as home to dozens of individuals from many related families. By the later Russian period and today, nuclear family households are the norm.

Inheritance. The aboriginal pattern of inheritance is unclear. Some material possessions might be buried with the deceased individual; others could be passed on to family Members or friends. It is possible that the house was passed down to the eldest daughter. Contemporary inheritance patterns have not been described.

Socialization. Traditionally, as today, children depended on close relatives for their care and training. Although Generally permissive, parents provide discipline in various ways, including telling stories of the dangerous "outside men." Schools in most communities extend through high school, though relatively few students attend college.