His wife holds a somewhat analogous authority over the activities of the other females in the household. On the death of the household head, he may be succeeded by the oldest surviving male, or the household may split into several independent units. Kinship is bilateral, and inheritance follows consanguineal lines. Marriages are arranged by parents. Beyond restrictions against marriage to close relatives and a preference for marriage between economic equals, there are few restrictions or preferences in the choice of marriage partners.
Divorces are permissible.
Polygyny, though allowed, is infrequent and confined to the wealthy. Infanticide is known and, in the past, albino infants were frequently put to death. Although it appears to be dying out, the most notable life crisis ceremony is the girl's puberty ceremony. Above the household level Cuna village organization is marked by incipient economic stratification. Knowledge of Cuna tradition is still an important determinant of status and is the basis on which village chiefs are elected by the adult men to lifetime terms.