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				Descent Groups
			Descent groups are social units whose members claim common ancestry.  The group typically endures even though its membership changes as members are born and die, move in and move out.  Often, descent-group membership is determined at birth and is life long.  Unlike families however, they are perpetual.  They last for generations and generations.  Some descent groups are patrilineal, which recognizes descent through males.  And some descent groups are matrilineal, which recognizes descent through females.
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