Kinship System. The family relationships and the way a people reproduce, train, and socialize their children. The typical North American family is a nuclear and rather independent unit. In many countries, there may be an extended family that consists of several generations held together through the male line (patrilineal) or through the female line (matrilineal). Such families have a powerful influence on child rearing, and often on nation building. Family influences and loyalties can affect job performance or business negotiations.