The Elementary Structures of Kinship

Categories

As we have just emphasized, nature, like culture, moves to the double rhythm of receiving and giving. But the two moments of this rhythm, as produced by nature are not viewed indifferently by culture. The first stage, that of receiving, as expressed through biological kinship, ends culture powerless, for a child's heredity is integrally inscribed in the genes transmitted by the parents; whatever they are, such will be the child.

SOURCE

Beacon Press (1949) pg 1-45