Class 7 Civics: Growing Up as Boys and Girls
Questions covered are:
1. What is meant by gender and how does it influence our lives?
2. How does society shape the roles and responsibilities of boys and girls?
3. How are the experiences of growing up different in various societies?
4. What are some common stereotypes associated with gender roles, and how do they affect career choices?
5. Why is housework often not considered real work, and what are its implications?
6. What are the physical and emotional demands of housework?
7. What challenges do domestic workers face in their jobs?
8. What is the ‘double burden’ faced by women, and how does it affect their lives?
9. How have women fought for equality in society, especially in the workplace?
10. What role does education play in the empowerment of women?
11. How does economic independence impact the social status of women?
12. What role does the government play in addressing gender inequality?
13. What are Anganwadis, and how do they contribute to gender equality?
14. How do creches in workplaces support working mothers?
15. What are some strategies to promote gender equality in society?
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1. What is meant by gender and how does it influence our lives?
– Gender refers to the social roles, behaviors, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men and women. It influences who we are, what we can become, and the life choices available to us. Gender determines our behavior, activities, and the opportunities we have in life. It is different from biological sex, which is a physical distinction between male and female bodies. While biological sex is a physical characteristic, gender is socially constructed and varies across cultures and societies.
2. How does society shape the roles and responsibilities of boys and girls?
– Society often dictates acceptable behavior for boys and girls, influencing their personality development and career aspirations. For example, boys are encouraged to be tough and bold, while girls are expected to be gentle and polite. These early experiences shape their future roles as men and women. Boys might be given cars and building blocks to play with, promoting skills like mechanics and spatial awareness, while girls are given dolls and kitchen sets, encouraging nurturing and domestic skills. Such distinctions in upbringing reinforce societal expectations and can limit the choices available to individuals later in life.
3. How are the experiences of growing up different in various societies?
– In Samoa during the 1920s, children did not go to formal schools but learned skills like fishing, child care, and household work from elders. Boys joined outdoor activities like fishing by the age of nine, while girls took on responsibilities such as looking after siblings and running errands. In contrast, growing up in Madhya Pradesh in the 1960s involved boys and girls attending separate schools, with distinct facilities and social expectations. Boys were often seen idling or playing in the streets, while girls used the streets purposefully to return home in groups for safety. These differences highlight that the process of socialization is not uniform and is shaped by societal norms and expectations.
4. What are some common stereotypes associated with gender roles, and how do they affect career choices?
– Common stereotypes include the belief that boys are naturally inclined towards subjects like science and mathematics, while girls are better suited for humanities or social sciences. These stereotypes limit the career choices available to individuals and reinforce gender norms. For instance, professions like engineering and technology are often considered male-dominated, while teaching and nursing are seen as suitable for women. This can discourage girls from pursuing careers in fields like engineering, while boys may avoid careers perceived as less masculine.
5. Why is housework often not considered real work, and what are its implications?
– Housework is often invisible because it is unpaid and typically performed within the home. It is seen as a natural duty for women and not valued as real work, even though it involves physically demanding tasks like cleaning, cooking, and caregiving. This lack of recognition can lead to feelings of devaluation among women, as their contributions are not acknowledged. It also perpetuates the belief that women’s work is less important than men’s, reinforcing gender inequality.
6. What are the physical and emotional demands of housework?
– Housework requires heavy labor, such as carrying water, firewood, washing clothes, cooking, and cleaning. It involves standing, bending, lifting, and working long hours. In addition to physical demands, it also includes emotional labor like managing household tasks, caregiving, and balancing multiple responsibilities. Women often handle these tasks without any formal support or recognition, which can lead to stress and fatigue.
7. What challenges do domestic workers face in their jobs?
– Domestic workers, especially in urban areas, often work long hours starting early in the morning and ending late at night. They receive low wages and are sometimes subjected to poor treatment by employers. Despite their hard work, they are not given basic amenities like proper food or rest and are often treated with a lack of respect. The undervaluation of domestic work leads to exploitation, abuse, and a lack of legal protection, creating a cycle of poverty and limited opportunities for better employment.
8. What is the ‘double burden’ faced by women, and how does it affect their lives?
– The ‘double burden’ refers to the dual responsibility of women who engage in both paid work outside the home and unpaid housework inside the home. This results in longer working hours for women compared to men, who typically only engage in paid work. The double burden leaves women with less time for personal development, leisure, or rest, impacting their overall well-being and hindering their professional growth.
9. How have women fought for equality in society, especially in the workplace?
– Women have organized protests, campaigns, and movements to demand equal rights, opportunities, and pay in the workplace. They have advocated for changes in laws related to property rights, education, and workplace discrimination. Social reforms have also been aimed at changing societal attitudes towards women’s roles and capabilities. Historical examples, like the efforts of Savitribai Phule in advocating for women’s education, highlight the importance of these struggles in achieving progress.
10. What role does education play in the empowerment of women?
– Education provides women with knowledge, skills, and qualifications that open up diverse career opportunities. It enables women to break traditional roles and challenge societal stereotypes. Educated women are more likely to advocate for gender equality and contribute to social change. Education also enhances self-confidence and independence, empowering women to make informed decisions about their lives and careers.
11. How does economic independence impact the social status of women?
– Economic independence gives women financial freedom and the ability to make independent decisions regarding their lives and careers. It often leads to greater respect and influence within families and communities. Economic independence challenges traditional power dynamics and can contribute to more equitable relationships between men and women.
12. What role does the government play in addressing gender inequality?
– The government supports gender equality through laws and policies that protect women’s rights. This includes legislation against domestic violence, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination, as well as policies ensuring equal pay and maternity benefits. Programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao promote the education of girls, and reservations in jobs and educational institutions for women help to level the playing field.
13. What are Anganwadis, and how do they contribute to gender equality?
– Anganwadis are government-run child-care centers that provide basic health, nutrition, and pre-school education. They enable women to work outside the home by offering reliable childcare support and promote early childhood education and health. This allows more girls to attend school and more women to join the workforce, contributing to gender equality in education and employment.
14. How do creches in workplaces support working mothers?
– Creches provide childcare support for working mothers, allowing them to continue their careers after childbirth without the burden of finding external childcare. This support increases women’s participation in the workforce and helps them balance work and family responsibilities. Legal mandates for companies with more than 30 women employees to provide creche facilities promote inclusivity and gender equality in the workplace.
15. What are some strategies to promote gender equality in society?
– Promoting equal education opportunities for boys and girls, implementing and enforcing laws that support gender equality, and addressing societal norms and stereotypes through awareness and media are key strategies. Encouraging men to take on roles traditionally seen as women’s, such as caregiving and household chores, and supporting women in leadership positions can also help in achieving gender equality.
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Fill in the Blanks:
1. Gender refers to the __________ roles and expectations associated with being male or female.
2. In Samoa in the 1920s, children learned life skills like fishing and household work from __________.
3. In the 1960s in Madhya Pradesh, boys and girls went to __________ schools.
4. Housework is often not considered real work because it is __________ and unpaid.
5. The term ‘double burden’ refers to the dual responsibilities of women handling both __________ and housework.
6. Domestic workers often face __________ working hours and low wages.
7. __________ independence provides women with more control over their lives and decisions.
8. The government has set up __________ or child-care centers to support working women.
9. __________ is the physical and emotional labor involved in looking after family members.
10. __________ refers to the practice of giving women’s work less recognition and value compared to men’s work.
11. Women in Tamil Nadu and Haryana often experience the __________ burden of working inside and outside the home.
12. Toys like __________ are often given to boys to promote skills like mechanics and spatial awareness.
13. In many societies, the roles of men and women are not __________ valued.
14. Laws against sexual __________ aim to create a safer and more equal workplace for women.
15. Campaigns like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao promote the __________ of girls in India.
Answers:
1. social
2. elders
3. separate
4. invisible
5. paid work
6. long
7. Economic
8. Anganwadis
9. Caregiving
10. Devaluing
11. double
12. cars
13. equally
14. harassment
15. education
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