Final answer:
Affinal relationships are kinship ties created by marriage or mutual agreement, represented by double lines on kinship charts, and can be dissolved unlike blood relations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Affinal relationships are kinship ties that are formed through marriage or mutual agreements rather than through blood or biology. These relationships are usually contractual and can be dissolved, in contrast to consanguineal ties, which denote blood relations and are typically considered permanent. Affinal ties are represented by a double line on kinship charts, and they extend kinship networks beyond biological connections to encompass a broader range of social bonds.
Kinship systems play an integral role in the cultural definition of family and societal relationships. While biological relationships exist as a base for kinship, it is culture that expands and gives social importance to these connections, recognizing marriages and even adopting individuals as family members through both formal and informal arrangements such as godparenthood or close social ties. This cultural institution includes both consanguineal (by blood) and affinal (by marriage or agreement) elements, central to understanding family structures and social alliances.