Abstract
In societies with matrilineal descent traditions, natural fathers have little actual authority over discipline of their children. These responsibilities rest on the mother's brothers. It is suggested that in modern-day cultures rehabilitative counselors consider maternal uncles for supportive assistance.
Implications for nonmatrilineal descent cultures in the United States are considered, with the observation that the majority of delinquent children live in homes exclusively ruled by mothers. Maternal kin might be of significant assistance with delinquent youth from single-parent families.
In situations where "primitive" culture families have immigrated or migrated, assistance from role models from the new receiving culture might be employed.
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