The paper considers various aspects of kinship studies, namely, why and for what reasons the kinship systems have evolved and why they were so important, new kinship theories, incest taboo, terms of kinship, affinal kinship terms and the code of conduct to be maintained among affinal relatives. Kinship in human societies have evolved as a powerful mechanism for coordination, cooperation and as a resolution to conflict and tension connected with resource access. Incest taboo is an inalienable topic in kinship studies, which is also a strong mechanism ensuring the reproduction of healthy offspring and preservation of sound gene pool. Lately the changes taking place in societies gave rise to new conceptualization of families and kinship relations. One interesting topic, which the paper considers, is Kazakh affinal kinship and the code of conduct of each relative. The system of Kazakh kinship terms is very ramified and difficult for other peoples to understand, especially the terms of kinship by marriage. The study of this layer of vocabulary is relevant, since kinship in the Kazakh society plays an important role, and the traditions of behavior between relatives have not undergone significant changes.

The paper considers various aspects of kinship studies, namely, why and for what reasons the kinship systems have evolved and why they were so important, new kinship theories, incest taboo, terms of kinship, affinal kinship terms and the code of conduct to be maintained among affinal relatives. Kinship in human societies have evolved as a powerful mechanism for coordination, cooperation and as a resolution to conflict and tension connected with resource access. Incest taboo is an inalienable topic in kinship studies, which is also a strong mechanism ensuring the reproduction of healthy offspring and preservation of sound gene pool. Lately the changes taking place in societies gave rise to new conceptualization of families and kinship relations. One interesting topic, which the paper considers, is Kazakh affinal kinship and the code of conduct of each relative. The system of Kazakh kinship terms is very ramified and difficult for other peoples to understand, especially the terms of kinship by marriage. The study of this layer of vocabulary is relevant, since kinship in the Kazakh society plays an important role, and the traditions of behavior between relatives have not undergone significant changes.