Affinity facts for kids
Affinity is a special kind of family connection that happens because of marriage. It's different from being related by blood, like your parents or siblings.
When someone gets married, their spouse's family becomes their family through affinity. It's like building a new branch on your family tree!
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Affinity: Family by Marriage
What is Affinity?
In law, affinity means the family connection between people because of a marriage. It's not about sharing the same blood. Instead, it's about the legal bond that forms between one person and the relatives of their husband or wife.
Think of it this way: when two people marry, they become a new family unit. Their families also become connected, but not by blood. This connection is called affinity.
Examples of Affinity
A common example of affinity is your parent-in-law. This is the parent of your husband or wife. You are connected to them through marriage, not because you share blood.
Other examples of affinity relationships include:
- Your brother-in-law or sister-in-law (your spouse's brother or sister).
- Your son-in-law or daughter-in-law (your child's spouse).
- Your grandparent-in-law (your spouse's grandparent).
These relationships are important in many cultures and sometimes in legal matters. For example, in some places, laws about marriage or inheritance might consider affinity relationships.
Affinity vs. Consanguinity
It's helpful to understand the difference between affinity and consanguinity.
- Consanguinity means being related by blood. This includes your parents, children, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
- Affinity means being related by marriage. These are your "in-laws."
So, your biological brother is related to you by consanguinity. Your spouse's brother is related to you by affinity.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Affinity (desambiguación) para niños
