Some help with words for an essay?

Perhaps you're thinking of Nepotism.

Nepotism is the showing of favoritism toward relatives, based upon that relationship, rather than on an objective evaluation of ability or suitability.

For instance, offering employment to a relative, despite the fact that there are others who are better qualified and willing to perform the job, would be considered nepotism.

The word nepotism is from the Latin word 'nepos', meaning "nephew" or "grandchild".