Final answer:
The term that best describes lineages in the society depicted in 'Without Father or Husbands' is matrilineal descent, where familial ties and inheritance are traced through the mother's line.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the film 'Without Father or Husbands,' the lineages in the society depicted are best described as matrilineal descent. In this system, inheritance, status, and family ties are determined through the female line. This means a person is connected to their family primarily through their mother's relatives, including their maternal grandparents and their mother's siblings. Men in these societies may assume a social and political role within their maternal families, often inheriting from their uncles rather than their fathers.
Patrilineal descent, on the other hand, traces lineage through the father's line. This type of descent is different from matrilineal in that males carry on the family name and females are typically seen as members of the family only temporarily until they marry. In contrast, matrilineal descent gives central importance to the female line, with the certainty of maternity providing a clear lineage. This system is seen in various indigenous peoples of North America and is notably present among Southeastern peoples.