Final answer:
Kinship groups are held together by social and biological ties defined by cultural practices, which include consanguineal and affinal relationships, and social roles and obligations. Kinship shapes social structures and personal identities and is not solely based on genetic links, as demonstrated by the cultural practice of adoption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principal bonds that hold kinship groups together are the complicated web of social and biological relationships marked by deeply ingrained cultural practices. These bonds include ties of descent, such as consanguineal ties (blood-related) and affinal ties (through marriage or alliance), cultural understandings, and social obligations. Kinship influences various aspects of life such as inheritance, social interactions, and the formation of cultural identity.
Kinship structures vary between societies, but commonly they facilitate the creation of families, reproduction, alliances, and provide a framework for social roles and responsibilities. In smaller societies or groups, kinship can dictate many life choices, while in larger societies, it might play a less overt role. However, kinship's significance persists in shaping the local and familial against a broader social backdrop, framing the way individuals and families integrate with society at large.
The idea that kinship is completely based on genetics is a common misconception. Culture plays a vital role in determining kin relationships, as seen in the case of adoption, where societal norms establish familial bonds without biological connections. In essence, family members are those we live with, depend on, and hold dear, regardless of genetic ties.