[Contains: Traditions, Heirs, Family Politics, Gender Roles, Material World, Current Families]


[Tradition, tradition, tradition!]

Since the beginning of settled magical communities, the basis of the pureblood family unit has been tradition.

Traditions ranged from how to act, how to talk, what to wear, who to socialize with, and most importantly, what NOT to do.

First and foremost is loyalty to the blood. To the family. The families operate under the concept of Patria Potestas: The Head of the family being the father, or husband, and everyone else is expected to submit to him. This led to the majority of strict pureblood fathers raising their children very sternly, and being the furthest from the 'loving dad' that those in the poorer or less pure fractions of wizarding society were open to.

In recent years the stern ruling as loosened, especially with more and more of the young witches becoming much more modern minded. Regardless, even in families that did not stick to strict guidelines, it is considered inappropriate for wives or children to go against the husband's wishes in public. Appearances must always be kept.

Secondly is the want to keep the bloodlines pure. Although not all pureblood families are supporters of the blood cleansing doctrine preached by Voldemort and dark wizards of the past, there is a still a stigma in most of the richer families for their children to not marry those of less pure blood, whether or not it is vocalized.

Arranged marriages are somewhat common due to this fact, but there is no pressure to married straight out of school, nor are men always expected to be the elder in the couple.

The wizarding world was never stigmatized against women, nor was there ever a time when witches were not given positions of high power. However, despite this, in the richest families, once marriage is settled, the wife typically does not continue work unless it is a co-effort with their husband, or if they have a position of particular importance within the ministry. This is not as strict in recent years, with many witches continuing their own interests, nor was it ever a factor in those of the middle and lower classes.

It is the richest of the pureblood families that are more particular in continuing the 'old ways', especially those families that haven't had any inter-marriages with a poorer or less pure family in the past.

[To be the heir]

Most pureblood families with a large amount of wealth, or those that are particularly archaic in thoughts designate an heir. The heir is typically always the eldest son, although it is the head of the family's decision on that matter. Other sons are given a smaller proportion of the wealth and expected to build upon it. Daughters are often also provided with dowry and are never usually considered for heir unless no sons were born.

In the case of no sons, the daughter is named the heir, and her second son (if she has two) will then be made heir of her family.

Large families are especially not considered prudent in pureblood families, although they do happen, due to the fact that a family's wealth would then have to be split in many fractions. Anymore than 5 children is considered vastly excessive. Most families usually have between one to three children.

In the strictest, most old-fashioned families, the heir is often treated both exceptionally well and yet very strictly. He is often given anything his heart desires, and is the apple of his parents' eye, but at the same time is vulnerable to especially strict correction if he fails to meet the high standards the family wants for him.


[Family Politics]

Not all families are as strict as the others. Some are very lenient even among the richest fractions; and those who are not as wealthy tend to be especially open minded.

Typically rivalries and friendships between pureblood families can last for generations. With each heir inheriting his father's enemies and brothers-in-arms.

All pureblood families, regardless of their nature typically have dark roots in one branch of their family tree. Depending on the family that branch can either be celebrated or shunned.


[Gender Relations]

The richest and most purest families typically raise their children in traditional gender roles. The girls are brought up to be ladies, the boys; gentleman.

Manners and appearances are valued to the utmost, and although the spoiled children are often given their way, they are expected to be on top form when in front of those that an impression is to be made upon.

Witches are often expected to take over the domestic aspect of life in a marriage. Though with servants and domestic help, they aren't exactly inconvienced. A young mistress of a manor would most like expect to be capable of simple tasks such as being able to flat linens and dust precious items that cannot be entrusted to seervants.


[Material World]

Regardless of accumulated wealth, the heir is expected to achieve a well placed, prestigous job. Taking over the family business, working in the ministry, becoming a Healer - are all considered noble pathways.

NOT many pureblood families actually have house elves. House elves are typically creatures having been passed down from generation upon generation. The richest of the rich families may have from one to a small hoard, but those that are simply well off, or lower upper class would often simply hire a live in maid.


[A Progressive World]

Regardless of what should be. Behind closed doors in many a family the wife could certainly be the head of the family. Especially with many young witches becoming very empowered and headstrong.

Not to mention, even in the most strict families, many young witches and wizards are breaking away from the molds, determined to go against tradition and find their own way, inheritence or no inheritence.

This of course is much harder when one belongs to a particularly strict, old-fashioned family.


[So High Above Me]

The (mostly) pureblood families currently in play within the game:

Capper*, Dunstan*, Greengrass*, Malfoy, Moon, Parkinson, Patil, Pucey, Robins*, Weasley*

*=Recent generation(s) have had marriages to halfbloods or muggleborns. Or the family is particularly lenient or doesn't care much for blood. These families are least likely to stick to the 'old ways' or be as old fashioned in terms of marriage and the rule of patrias potestas.

Thanks to the richest fictional character list put out by Forbes (seriously XD), the Malfoys are by a psychotically WIDE margin, the richest of the pureblood families, with over 900$ million of liquid assets.