What is "parentado"

Parentado is a principle of kinship tie that was practiced in early Modern Europe. It is Italian for kin. It suggests power that is gained through the alliance of marriage, along with the exchange of dowries and women (as well as the power and influence a family gains due to these factors). Parentado stresses the key role of women in creating kinship ties. This is markedly different from the opposing term casato (from ‘casa’ meaning house) which places emphasis on kinship tie that descends from fathers to sons respectively.