Final answer:
Patrilocal residence supports patrilineal descent by having the wife live with the husband's family, preserving the male lineage. This residence system has historical roots but can disadvantage women by isolating them from their relatives. Residence practices are aligned with the descent patterns of the society, ensuring lineage continuation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patrilocal residence makes sense in a society that follows patrilineal descent because the residence system supports the social structure where familial ties, inheritance, and property are passed down through the male line. In such a setup, it is traditional for a wife to live with or near her husband’s family, reinforcing the patrilineal inheritance and lineage. Such a residence system can be traced back to ancient times, revealing its deep roots in some cultures. However, it also presents disadvantages, notably for women, as they become outsiders in their new home and disconnected from their own blood relatives.
In contrast, matrilocal residence systems, associated with matrilineal descent, involve the husband moving to live with the wife's family. The descent pattern dictates the residence practice, strengthening the lineage's continuation whether through males in patrilineal or females in matrilineal societies. In cases of ambilineal societies, parents may choose either the father's or mother's lineage to determine residence and descent, based on various factors such as prestige or cultural practices.