"Diverse family forms are found in different societies".

Keeping this statement in mind, select the family system that is protected in Khasi society.

Matrilineal and Patriarchal

The correct answer is Option (4) → Matrilineal and Patriarchal

With regard to the rules of inheritance, matrilineal societies pass on property from mother to daughter while patrilineal societies do so from father to son. A patriarchal family structure exists where the men exercise authority and dominance, and matriarchy where the women play a similarly dominant role. However, matriarchy – unlike patriarchy – has been a theoretical rather than an empirical concept. There is no historical or anthropological evidence of matriarchy – i.e., societies where women exercise dominance. However, there do exist matrilineal societies (e.g Khasi), i.e., societies where women inherit property from their mothers but do not exercise control over it, nor are they the decision makers in public affairs (Patriarchal).

In Khasi Society woman inherits property from her mother and passes it on to her daughter, while a man controls his sister’s property and passes on control to his sister’s son. Thus, inheritance passes from mother to daughter whereas control passes from (maternal) uncle to nephew.