04. Growing up as Boys and Girls | Class 7 Civics Chapter 4 | Notes For CBSE and UPSC

Welcome to Growing up as Boys and Girls Class 7 Civics Chapter 4 Gender NCERT notes for CBSE and UPSC.

UNIT THREE: Gender – Chapter 4 Growing up as Boys and Girls

Understanding Gender

• Gender Defined: Gender refers to the social values and stereotypes linked to ‘male’ and ‘female’ biological distinctions. It encompasses the roles, behaviors, and expectations society attributes to individuals based on their perceived gender.
  • Example: In many cultures, boys are expected to be tough, assertive, and independent, while girls are often encouraged to be gentle, nurturing, and empathetic.

Gender in Society

• Societal Norms: Societal norms significantly shape childhood experiences and future roles. These norms dictate how individuals are expected to behave and interact based on their perceived gender.
  • Examples: In some societies, girls take care of younger siblings, engage in caregiving tasks, and are encouraged to play with dolls. In contrast, boys are encouraged to be adventurous, engage in outdoor activities, and play with action figures or toy cars.
  • Case Studies: Explore the experiences of Samoan children in the 1920s and Indian children in the 1960s to understand how societal norms influenced their upbringing and roles.

Challenging Stereotypes

• Stereotype Challenge: Encourage critical thinking about gender stereotypes by engaging in activities that challenge traditional norms.
  • Activity Example: Challenge traditional toy stereotypes by allowing children to play with a variety of toys irrespective of their gender. This can help break down stereotypes and encourage creativity and open-mindedness.

Valuing Housework

• Devalued Housework: Recognize the significance of valuing women’s work within the home. Housework encompasses various physically demanding tasks that often go unnoticed and unappreciated.
  • Task Examples: Housework involves tasks like cooking, cleaning, laundry, and caregiving. These tasks can be physically demanding, requiring strength, time, and effort.

Equality and Action

• Government Initiatives: Explore government initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and addressing gender-based disparities. These initiatives include the establishment of anganwadis and supportive laws for working women.
  • Impact: Government efforts aim to enable women to work outside the home, facilitate girls’ education, and create a more equitable society where individuals, regardless of their gender, have equal opportunities and rights.

Keywords and Definitions

Important Definitions for Growing up as Boys and Girls Chapter 4 of class 7 unit 3 Gender NCERT notes for CBSE and UPSC.

• Gender: Gender refers to the social values, expectations, and stereotypes associated with the perceived differences between ‘male’ and ‘female.’ It encompasses societal roles, behaviors, and norms related to gender.
• Stereotypes: Stereotypes are fixed and oversimplified beliefs or ideas about particular groups of people. In the context of gender, stereotypes dictate how individuals are expected to behave based on their gender.
• Inequality: Inequality refers to differences in opportunities, treatment, or outcomes based on characteristics like gender. Gender inequality often leads to disparities in rights, resources, and access to opportunities.
• Collective Struggles: Collective struggles involve the efforts of groups of people working together to bring about social change and promote equality. These efforts often focus on challenging existing norms and advocating for equal rights.
• Double Burden: The term “double burden” describes the situation where women are expected to manage both household responsibilities (housework and caregiving) and work outside the home, often leading to increased workloads and limited leisure time.
• Care-giving: Care-giving encompasses a range of tasks related to looking after and nurturing others. It includes activities such as childcare, elderly care, and providing emotional support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Important Questions for Growing up as Boys and Girls Class 7 Civics Chapter 4 unit 3 Gender NCERT notes for CBSE and UPSC.

1. What is Gender?
   • Gender refers to the social values, expectations, and stereotypes linked to ‘male’ and ‘female’ biological distinctions. It influences how individuals are expected to behave based on their perceived gender.
   • Example: Gender norms may dictate that boys should be assertive and girls should be nurturing.
2. How does society influence childhood experiences?
   • Societal norms shape childhood experiences by defining roles and behaviors based on gender. These norms affect how children are raised, the activities they engage in, and the expectations placed on them.
   • Example: In some societies, girls are encouraged to engage in caregiving tasks, while boys are encouraged to be adventurous.
3. Why is valuing housework important?
   • Valuing housework is essential because it recognizes the significant contributions made by women within the home. Housework encompasses tasks that are physically demanding, yet they often go unnoticed.
   • Examples: Cooking and cleaning involve standing for long hours and performing physically demanding activities.
4. How can individuals promote gender equality?
   • Individuals can promote gender equality by challenging stereotypes, advocating for equal opportunities, and supporting initiatives that address gender-based disparities.
   • Example: Encouraging children to play with a variety of toys can challenge traditional gender stereotypes.
5. What are anganwadis and their role in gender equality?
   • Anganwadis are child-care centers established by the government to support working women and facilitate girls’ education. They play a vital role in enabling women to work outside the home.
   • Example: Anganwadis provide a safe environment for children, allowing their mothers to pursue employment.
6. Why is collective struggle important for gender equality?
   • Collective struggle involves groups advocating for social change and equal rights. It is essential because it challenges existing norms and promotes gender equality.
   • Example: Advocating for equal rights and opportunities is a form of collective struggle.
7. What is “invisible work” in housework?
   • “Invisible work” refers to the unrecognized and often undervalued labor performed within the home. It includes tasks that are physically demanding but may go unnoticed.
   • Example: Cooking and cleaning are considered “invisible work” despite their physical demands.
8. What is the ultimate goal of understanding gender inequalities?
   • The ultimate goal is to create a fair and just society where individuals, regardless of their gender, have equal opportunities and are free from gender-based discrimination.
   • Example: Challenging stereotypes is a step toward achieving this goal.

Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What is the primary focus of societal norms related to gender?

• Encouraging creativity
• Shaping childhood experiences
• Promoting gender equality
• Allowing complete freedom of choice

Answer: Shaping childhood experiences

2. Which term describes the situation where women are expected to manage both household responsibilities and work outside the home?

• Gender equality
• Collective struggle
• Double burden
• Gender stereotypes

Answer: Double burden

3. Why is “invisible work” an important concept in discussions about gender?

• It highlights the importance of physical labor.
• It emphasizes the need for more visible jobs.
• It addresses the unequal distribution of household chores.
• It recognizes the unrecognized labor performed within the home.

Answer: It recognizes the unrecognized labor performed within the home.

4. What role do anganwadis play in promoting gender equality?

• Providing employment opportunities for women
• Facilitating girls’ education and supporting working women
• Encouraging traditional gender roles
• Promoting gender-based disparities

Answer: Facilitating girls’ education and supporting working women

5. What is the term for groups advocating for social change and equal rights?

• Collective struggle
• Gender stereotypes
• Invisible work
• Gender norms

Answer: Collective struggle

6. Which of the following is an example of a gender stereotype?

• Encouraging creativity in children
• Allowing complete freedom of choice
• Expecting boys to be adventurous and girls to be nurturing
• Promoting gender equality

Answer: Expecting boys to be adventurous and girls to be nurturing

7. In discussions about gender, what does “gender equality” refer to?

• Recognizing the unrecognized labor performed within the home
• Challenging existing norms and promoting equal rights
• Allowing complete freedom of choice
• Encouraging traditional gender roles

Answer: Challenging existing norms and promoting equal rights

8. What is the ultimate goal of understanding gender inequalities?

• Encouraging traditional gender roles
• Creating a fair and just society with equal opportunities
• Allowing complete freedom of choice
• Promoting gender-based disparities

Answer: Creating a fair and just society with equal opportunities

9. What does “collective struggle” involve?

• Recognizing the unrecognized labor performed within the home
• Advocating for social change and equal rights
• Allowing complete freedom of choice
• Encouraging traditional gender roles

Answer: Advocating for social change and equal rights

10. Why is it important to challenge gender stereotypes?

• To encourage traditional gender roles
• To recognize the unrecognized labor performed within the home
• To promote gender-based disparities
• To promote gender equality

Answer: To promote gender equality

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This was the end of Growing up as Boys and Girls Class 7 Civics Chapter 4 unit 3 Gender NCERT notes for CBSE and UPSC.

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