Family forms of descent deal with the issue of inheritance, land distribution, creation of surnames (last names), and ancestry. Bilateral descent means both sides of the family are equally considered in these matters whereas matrilineal descent is from the female's side and patrilineal descent is from the male's side. Polyandry is a form of polygamy in which a woman has more than one husband. Polygyny would be the form of polygamy in which a man has more than one wife. Nuclear family is a basic definition of a family type in which one or both parents live with their children.
