Final answer:
Modern Americans and the Inuit share similar descent systems focused on nuclear families, stemming from the egalitarian nature of both societies and a combination of modern employment with traditional subsistence methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Similarities in Descent Systems
Despite the vast differences in environment and technology, modern Americans and the Inuit share similar systems of descent primarily due to the small-scale and egalitarian nature found in both of their societies. This includes the emphasis placed on the nuclear family over extended familial relations in organizational structure. Moreover, both American and Inuit societies negotiate a combination of employment and traditional subsistence methods.
The Inuit, much like other indigenous hunter-gatherer societies, lives in a harsh environment where intensive agriculture is not practical; hence, they continue to rely on a hunter-gatherer lifestyle that is characterized by hunting, fishing, and gathering as primary means of sustenance. This way of life requires a strong focus on nuclear family units and immediate kinship bonds, much like what is observed in many modern American households. Additionally, the cultural perspective of considering animals as sentient beings, as well as the rituals associated with hunting, suggest a relationship with the environment that emphasizes respect and balance.
Furthermore, while industrialized societies like the United States have a significant basis in agriculture, many American familial and social relationships still exhibit patterns akin to smaller, egalitarian societies. For instance, modern Americans might not rely on hunting for subsistence, but the structure of focus on the nuclear family with occasional extended familial interactions mirrors that of hunter-gatherer bands, demonstrating a shared social organization that prioritizes immediate family relations.