Final answer:
Descent group norms include postmarital residence rules, determining where a couple lives after marriage to maintain lineage continuity, often influenced by economic and societal pressures. Marriage compensation and remarriage obligations further serve to structure lineage continuity and familial stability within unilineal societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Descent groups have established norms which dictate not only who is considered a member but also inform decisions about where individuals should live after marriage, known as postmarital residence rules. These are crucial for maintaining the identity and coherence of descent groups, especially in unilineal societies where lineage is traced through either the male (patrilineal) or female (matrilineal) line. In the case of patrilocal residence, typical of patrilineal descent, the newly married couple resides with or near the groom's family, reinforcing the lineage identity and rights over any offspring and the labor of the wife within the groom's family. Conversely, in the case of neolocal residence, associated with bilateral descent, the couple establishes an independent household. In some cases, couples adapt these rules due to economic need or other pressures, which is increasingly common in places like the United States.
Another significant kinship concept is marriage compensation, where one family transfers wealth to another to recognize the creation of a new social and economic household within one lineage. Lastly, remarriage obligations are present in unilineal societies to ensure stability and continuity of the family unit even after the death of a spouse, requiring the surviving partner to marry within the same lineage.