Final answer:
In matrilineal societies, property ownership varies, but it is commonly passed down through the female line. Children belong to their mother's kin group, and inheritance is often through the maternal line. Matrilineal societies are not necessarily matriarchal, but leadership positions are typically exercised by senior men in the family.
Step-by-step explanation:
In matrilineal societies, property ownership varies based on the specific culture and practices within that society. However, there are some common patterns that can be observed. In many matrilineal societies, property is typically passed down through the female line, meaning that inheritance and family ties are traced to women. This means that children primarily belong to their mother's kin group, and inheritance is often passed down through the maternal line. For example, in Native American societies like the Crow and Cherokee tribes, kinship is traced to the mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and so on.
In these societies, the mother's brother or maternal uncle often plays an important role in making decisions about family resources and disciplining family members. Despite the emphasis on matrilineal descent and property ownership, leadership positions are commonly exercised by senior men in the family, rather than the woman's husband. However, it's important to note that not all matrilineal societies are matriarchal, meaning that they are not necessarily dominated by female leadership.
It is also worth mentioning that there is variation within matrilineal societies themselves. For example, matrilineality is relatively common among indigenous peoples of North America and Southeastern peoples, whereas ambilineal descent patterns, where parents can choose to associate their children with either the mother or father's kinship, are common in Southeast Asian countries. These choices may be based on cultural customs or preferences for stronger or more prestigious kinship lines.