Final answer:
Unilineal descent systems such as patrilineal, matrilineal, and ambilineal are found in societies that emphasize inheritance through one gender line—patrilineal in places like rural China and India, matrilineal among Native American tribes, and ambilineal in Southeast Asia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Unilineal descent systems, including patrilineal, matrilineal, and ambilineal descent, are commonly found in societies that prioritize lineage and inheritance through one gender line. Patrilineal societies, where lineage follows the father's line, are seen in regions such as rural China and India, while matrilineal societies, where lineage follows the mother's line, are common among Native American tribes like the Crow and Cherokee. Ambilineal descent is seen in Southeast Asian countries, offering flexibility to choose either parent's lineage for kinship purposes. These systems play a significant role in inheritance, social status, and residence patterns, with patrilineal systems often being associated with patriarchal structures and patrilocal residence, disadvantaging women by placing them as outsiders to the community and lineage.