Achieving Equality
Class 6 | Social Science — Civics | Unit 2
Class 6 Unit 2 Civics
UNIT 2 Achieving equality
Learning Objectives
- Know the meanings of prejudice and stereotypes
- Understand discrimination and inequality
- Become aware of the negative consequences of discrimination
The society that we live in comprises people from various social groups who are different in many ways. Since we believe in 'Unity in Diversity', we should have been living peacefully with one another irrespective of those differences. Often, we see that diversity is not accepted, and people show attitudes of hostility towards those who are 'different' from them. They form opinions about the other groups and this often leads to tension in the society. Such 'opinions' are often 'prejudiced'.
1. Prejudice
Prejudice means to judge other people in a negative or inferior manner, without knowing much about them. It happens when people have false belief and ideas.
Prejudice means Pre plus Judge
The word 'prejudice' refers to prejudgement.
Prejudices can be based on many things like people's religious beliefs, the region they come from, the colour of their skin, language, their accent or the clothes they wear. The types of prejudice are gender prejudice, racial prejudice, class prejudice, disability prejudice and so on. For example, urban people are more civilised than rural people in attitudes and behaviour, is one such prejudice.
1.1 Causes for Prejudice
Some common social factors that contribute to the rise of prejudice are
- Socialization
- Conforming behaviours
- Economic benefits
- Authoritarian personality
- Ethno–centrism
- Group closure
- Conflicts
2. Stereotypes
When prejudice gets stronger, it develops into a stereotype. Stereotype is a false view or idea about something. For example, girls are not good at sports. Stereotype is learned at a very early age, and children grow to have very strong ideas or opinions about things, groups or ideologies. As children grow up, the lines of like and hate for other things, people, cultures, beliefs, languages become sharper.
Example
Ragu was hit in his eye with a soft ball and to everyone's surprise, he started to cry. The others started to laugh at him; Mani felt sad for him but started laughing along with others.
In the above example, we have a general opinion that girls cry and boys don't cry. When Ragu cried out of pain, others laughed at him. Now we understand that when we fix people in our image, we create a stereotype.
Gender-based stereotypes are often portrayed in films, advertisements and TV serials. Almost all the advertisements related to detergents, washing machines, dishwashers and others show a woman as the main lead or user of that product. On the other hand, all the stunts shown in a bike advertisement is performed by ferocious looking men.
3. Inequality and Discrimination
Inequality means difference in treatment. The different forms of inequalities such as caste inequality, religious inequality, race inequality or gender inequality give rise to discrimination. Discrimination can be defined as negative actions towards people. Inequality and untouchability are caused by discriminations based on caste, religion and gender. Treating dark-skinned people differently from fair-skinned people, and denying equal status, rights and opportunities on the basis of colour, caste, gender, religion etc. are the formidable discriminatory trends afflicting India.
Article 15(1) of the Constitution states that the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth.
Do You Know
End of Apartheid
After 27 years in prison-former south African president Nelson Mandela, was freed in 1990 and successfully achieved the end of apartheid in South Africa, bringing peace to a racially divided country and leading the fight for human rights around the world.
Do You Know
Doctor. B.R. Ambedkar
- He is popularly known as Baba Saheb.
- He was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer.
- He earned his M.A. in 1915 and then obtained a D. S c at the London School of Economics before being awarded P h. D by Columbia University in 1927.
- He served as the chairman of drafting committee of the constituent assembly and hence regarded as the father of Indian Constitution.
- He was independent India's first Law Minister.
- He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1990.
3.1 Caste Discrimination
Caste system is the most dominant reason for inequality and discrimination in India. The caste system originated in the Varna system of the Vedic Aryan society. In the beginning Varna was an occupation based flexible social division. In the Later Vedic Society, the Varna system was expanded into a rigid, discriminatory, birth based graded caste divisions. Many people in India have fought against caste oppression. The most prominent among them was Doctor. B.R. Ambedkar. He belonged to a such depressed family and suffered discrimination throughout his childhood. He fought actively for the annihilation of caste so as to ensure equality among all the citizens of India.
3.2 Gender Discrimination
Gender discrimination refers to health, education, economic and political inequalities between men and women. For example, A girl is not allowed to go to college after finishing her schooling. Similarly, most of the girls are not allowed to select a career of their choice rather they are forced into marriage. In some families, girls are not allowed to wear modern dresses while boys in such families often wear modern dresses.
3.3 Religious Discrimination
Religious discrimination is unequal treatment of an individual or group based on their beliefs. Religious discrimination has been around for a long time. There have been problems between people of different religions for thousands of years. Our Constitution has provided equality for all irrespective of their caste, religion, language, place of birth etc. Yet discriminations are still in practice even in worship places on the basis of caste, religion, gender and language. Our great social thinkers have been crusading against such discriminations and inequalities.
Literacy rate – 2011 Census
Source: Censusindia.gov.in>tamilnadu
| High | Low |
|---|
| Serial Number | District Name | Percentage | Serial Number | District Name | Percentage |
|---|
| 1 | Kanyakumari | 92.14% | 1 | Dharmapuri | 64.71% |
| 2 | Chennai | 90.33% | 2 | Ariyalur | 71.99% |
| 3 | Thoothukkudi | 86.52% | 3 | Villupuram | 72.08% |
| 4 | The Nilgiris | 85.65% | 4 | Krishnagiri | 72.41% |
Sex Ratio – 2011 Census
Number of females per one thousand males
Source: Censusindia.gov.in>tamilnadu
| High | Low |
|---|
| Serial Number | District Name | Sex Ratio | Serial Number | District Name | Sex Ratio |
|---|
| 1 | The Nilgiris | 1041 | 1 | Dharmapuri | 946 |
| 2 | Thanjavur | 1031 | 2 | Salem | 954 |
| 3 | Nagapattinam | 1025 | 3 | Krishnagiri | 956 |
| 4 | Thoothukkudi, Tirunelveli | 1024 | 4 | Ramanathapuram | 977 |
3.4 Socio-Economic Inequality
In the socio-economic field, the benefits of growth have not been spread evenly. The low-income districts are associated with low industrial development, low agricultural productivity and low human development. Similarly, the Districts with low literacy rate are found to be with lower sex ratio.
3.5 Remedial Measures for Abolishing Inequality and Discrimination
The remedial measures for abolishing inequality and discrimination in Indian society are as follows.
- Wider access to quality basic services like healthcare and education for all.
- Be aware of current gender bias.
- Make women more visible in public life and institution to eradicate gender disparity.
- Be open to learning about other religions.
- Promoting community dining in the classroom may help the students to sit together without any bias of caste, religion or gender.
- Socialise with people of all types outside home.
- Effective implementation of laws.
ACHIEVERS
Dr. APJ ABDUL KALAM (1931-2015)
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born in a Muslim family in Rameswaram. He was the 11th President of India and who is fondly remembered as People's President. He completed his schooling at Ramnad, graduation from St. Joseph's College, Trichy, and went on to study aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) after he joined the Defence Research Development Organisation (D R D O). Kalam's family had become poor at his early age; he sold newspapers to supplement his family. He was a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour in 1997. Kalam has written many books. Among them, very famous books are India 2020, Wings of Fire, Ignited Minds, The Luminous Sparks and Mission India. His outstanding work earned him the title of the 'Missile Man of India'.
Mr.VISWANATHAN ANAND
Viswanathan Anand was born in Chennai in a middle-class family. His mother was a big fan of chess and taught him to play the game when he was just five years old. She encouraged and motivated him a lot and this laid the foundation for his future career as a chess player. Anand has won the world chess championships five times (2000, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012). He won the World Junior Chess Championship at the age of 14. He became India's first grandmaster in 1988. He was the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 1991-92, India's highest sporting honour. He received the nation's second highest civilian award Padma Vibushan in 2007.
Ms. S. ILAVAZHAGI
S. Ilavazhagi came from a poor family at Vyasarpadi Chennai. His father is a daily wage-earning auto-rickshaw driver. She participated in the 2008 World Carrom Championship at Palais Des Festivals, Cannes, France, and bagged her maiden women's title. She participated and won the Indian National Carrom Championship in the same year after beating the former World Champion Reshmi Kumari
Mr. MARIYAPPAN THANGAVELU
Mariyappan was born at Salem in Tamil Nadu. His mother raised her children as a single mother, carrying bricks as a labourer until becoming a vegetable seller, earning about Rs.100 per day. He suffered permanent disability in his right leg. When he was young despite this setback, he completed secondary schooling. He says, "I didn't see myself as different from able-bodied kids." I n 2016, At the Rio Paralympics, he won the gold medal in the men's high jump T-42 event, with a leap of 1.89 metre.
From the above examples, you will clearly understand that people from diverse backgrounds facing adverse conditions were still able to achieve greater success in their lives.
3.6 Constitution of India and Equality
A Constitution is a set of rules and regulations guiding the administration of a country. Article 14 of the constitution of India provides equality before the law or equal protection within the territory of India and prohibits the unreasonable discrimination between persons. Our Constitution says ours is a land of diversity; therefore, equality has to be ensured for all. Two significant parameters to ensure equality in society are respecting diversity and ensuring freedom. The different kinds of freedom are freedom to follow their religion, speak their language, celebrate their festivals and express their views freely
The Constitution is a legal framework of rules and regulations by which a nation would function. Equality is where untouchability is seen as a crime. In India, as per the Article 17 of the Indian Constitution, untouchability is totally abolished and it's any form is forbidden. Even today, different types of discrimination are reported across the country. Women, peasants, tribes and people from lower social classes are still striving for equality in India.
Summary
- Prejudice means to judge other people in a negative or inferior manner, without knowing much about them.
- Stereotype is a false view or idea about something.
- Discrimination can be defined as negative actions towards people.
- Discrimination can happen on the basis of colour, class, religion and gender.
- Caste system is the most dominant reason for inequality and discrimination
- Gender discrimination refers to health, education, economic and political inequalities between men and women.
- Religious discrimination is unequal treatment of an individual or group based on their beliefs.
Glossary
Prejudice Negatively judging other people or seeing other people as inferior Stereotype Creating a standard image Discrimination When people are not treated equally on the basis of caste, colour, religion, sex etc., Inequality Lacking equality, either economic or social or both Constitution A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organisation is governed.
EXERCISES
Exercise 1. Choose the correct answer
1. Which one of the following is not the reason for Prejudice?
a. Socialization b. Economic Benefits c. Authoritarian personality d. Geography
2. Discrimination done on the basis of gender is referred to as
a. gender discrimination b. caste discrimination c. religious discrimination d. inequality
3. Gender-based stereotypes are often portrayed in
a. films b. advertisements c. TV serials d. All of these
4. Name the books written by A P J Abdul Kalam
a. India 2020 b. Wings of Fire c. Ignited Minds d. All of these
5. A P J Abdul Kalam was conferred Bharat Ratna in the year
a. 1997 b. 1996 c. 1995 d. 1994
6. Viswanathan Anand became India's first grandmaster in the year.
a. 1985 b. 1986 c. 1987 d. 1988
7. In which sport Ilavazhagi excels
a. Chess b. Wrestling c. Carrom d. Tennis
8. Which article of the Constitution says discrimination against any citizen on grounds only of religion race caste sex place of birth or any of them is not permitted?
a. 14(1) b. 15(1) c. 16(1) d. 17(1)
9. B R Ambedkar was conferred Bharat Ratna in the year
a. Nineteen Ninety b. Nineteen Eighty-nine c. Nineteen Eighty-Eight d. Nineteen Eighty-Seven
10. As per the two thousand eleven Census the highest literate district in Tamil Nadu
a. Namakkal b. Salem c. Kanyakumari d. Sivagangai Exercise 2. Fill in the blanks
1. People have false belief and ideas on others is called .
2. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born in .
3. was the first recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India's highest Sport honour.
4. was the independent India's first Law Minister.
5. As per the two thousand eleven Census the lowest Sex ratio was in .
Exercise 3. Match the following
| 1. Prejudice | |
| 2. Stereotype | |
| 3. Discrimination | |
| 4. Article 14 | |
| 5. Article 17 | |
Options: abolition of untouchability, treating someone less fairly than others, equality before law, false view or idea about something, judge other people negatively
Exercise 4. Answer the following questions
1. What is Prejudice?
2. What is stereotype?
3. What is discrimination?
4. What are the articles that are discussing the equality in the Indian Constitution?
Exercise 5. Answer the following in detail
1. What are the causes of Prejudice?
2. Write any two types of discrimination?
3. Explain the solution to the removal of inequality and discrimination in Indian society?
Exercise 6. Projects and Activities
1. Split the class into small groups, discuss with your peer group on discrimination and write a report on it.
2. Collect information about any two famous personalities who faced prejudice and discrimination.
Exercise 7. HOTS
1. Various discrimination in India. Discuss.
Exercise 8. Life Skill
1. How can you fight against prejudice and discrimination in your village?
Internet Resources
- http://www.ncsc.nic.in/ (The National Commission for Scheduled Castes)
- http://ncst.nic.in/ (The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes)
- http://www.ncw.nic.in/ (The National Commission for Women)
- Censusindia.gov.in
CIVICS – Class VI
List of Authors and Reviewers
Domain Expert
Dr. D. Devanathan
Associate professor and Head
Department of Political Sciences and Public administration, Annamalai University, Chidambaram
Reviewers
Doctor. K. Kottai Rajan
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Periyar Govt. Arts College, Cuddalore.
Academic Co-ordinator
P. Suresh
P.G.Assistant, G.G.H.S.School, Attur, Salem.
ICT Coordinator
S. Punitha
B.T.Assistant, GHSS, Anathagopalapuram. Pattukottai, Thanjavur.
Authors
Meera Bai Gopi
Headmistress - Primary, T I Matriculation Higher Secondary school, Ambattur, Chennai.
Latha Ramachandran
Kendriya Vidyalaya, CLRI, Adyar, Chennai.
N. Shanthi
Government Higher School, Palavedu, Thiruvallur.
Art and Design Team
Illustration
K.T. Gandhirajan, Chennai.
Tamil Virtual Academy.
Art Teachers, Government of Tamil Nadu.
Students, Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai & Kumbakonam.
In House QC
QC - Karthik Kalaiarasu
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Co-ordination
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Book-back Exercises — Questions & Answers
Answers generated strictly from the Samacheer Kalvi textbook content. Attempt each question first, then click "Show Answer" to check.
1. Choose the correct answer
1. Which one of the following is not the reason for Prejudice?
a) Socialization b) Economic Benefits c) Authoritarian personality d) Geography
Answer: d) Geography
Explanation: The chapter mentions seven common social factors that contribute to prejudice: socialization, conforming behaviours, economic benefits, authoritarian personality, ethno-centrism, group closure, and conflicts. Geography is not listed among these causes.
2. Discrimination done on the basis of gender is referred to as
a) gender discrimination b) caste discrimination c) religious discrimination d) inequality
Answer: a) gender discrimination
Explanation: The chapter defines gender discrimination as health, education, economic and political inequalities between men and women.
3. Gender-based stereotypes are often portrayed in
a) films b) advertisements c) TV serials d) All of these
Answer: d) All of these
Explanation: The chapter states that gender-based stereotypes are often portrayed in films, advertisements and TV serials.
4. Name the books written by A P J Abdul Kalam
a) India 2020 b) Wings of Fire c) Ignited Minds d) All of these
Answer: d) All of these
Explanation: The chapter mentions that Kalam wrote many books including India 2020, Wings of Fire, Ignited Minds, The Luminous Sparks and Mission India.
5. A P J Abdul Kalam was conferred Bharat Ratna in the year
a) 1997 b) 1996 c) 1995 d) 1994
Answer: a) 1997
Explanation: According to the chapter, Kalam received the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour in 1997.
6. Viswanathan Anand became India's first grandmaster in the year
a) 1985 b) 1986 c) 1987 d) 1988
Answer: d) 1988
Explanation: The chapter states that Viswanathan Anand became India's first grandmaster in 1988.
7. In which sport Ilavazhagi excels
a) Chess b) Wrestling c) Carrom d) Tennis
Answer: c) Carrom
Explanation: The chapter mentions that S. Ilavazhagi participated in the 2008 World Carrom Championship and won the Indian National Carrom Championship.
8. Which article of the Constitution says discrimination against any citizen on grounds only of religion race caste sex place of birth or any of them is not permitted?
a) 14(1) b) 15(1) c) 16(1) d) 17(1)
Answer: b) 15(1)
Explanation: The chapter states that Article 15(1) of the Constitution says the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth.
9. B R Ambedkar was conferred Bharat Ratna in the year
a) Nineteen Ninety b) Nineteen Eighty-nine c) Nineteen Eighty-Eight d) Nineteen Eighty-Seven
Answer: a) Nineteen Ninety
Explanation: The chapter mentions that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1990.
10. As per the two thousand eleven Census the highest literate district in Tamil Nadu
a) Namakkal b) Salem c) Kanyakumari d) Sivagangai
Answer: c) Kanyakumari
Explanation: According to the 2011 Census data provided in the chapter, Kanyakumari has the highest literacy rate at 92.14%.
2. Fill in the blanks
1. People have false belief and ideas on others is called ______.
Answer: prejudice
2. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born in ______.
Answer: Rameswaram
3. ______ was the first recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India's highest Sport honour.
Answer: Viswanathan Anand
4. ______ was the independent India's first Law Minister.
Answer: B.R. Ambedkar
5. As per the two thousand eleven Census the lowest Sex ratio was in ______.
Answer: Dharmapuri
3. Match the following
1. Match the Following
| 1. Prejudice | a. abolition of untouchability |
| 2. Stereotype | b. treating someone less fairly than others |
| 3. Discrimination | c. equality before law |
| 4. Article 14 | d. false view or idea about something |
| 5. Article 17 | e. judge other people negatively |
Answers: 1-e, 2-d, 3-b, 4-c, 5-a
4. Answer the following questions
1. What is Prejudice?
Answer: Prejudice means to judge other people in a negative or inferior manner, without knowing much about them. It happens when people have false belief and ideas. The word 'prejudice' refers to prejudgement.
2. What is stereotype?
Answer: When prejudice gets stronger, it develops into a stereotype. Stereotype is a false view or idea about something. For example, girls are not good at sports is a stereotype.
3. What is discrimination?
Answer: Discrimination can be defined as negative actions towards people. Inequality and untouchability are caused by discriminations based on caste, religion and gender. Treating people differently and denying equal status, rights and opportunities on the basis of colour, caste, gender, religion etc. are discriminatory trends.
4. What are the articles that are discussing the equality in the Indian Constitution?
Answer: Article 14 provides equality before the law or equal protection within the territory of India. Article 15(1) states that the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth. Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form.
5. Answer the following in detail
1. What are the causes of Prejudice?
Answer: Some common social factors that contribute to the rise of prejudice are socialization, conforming behaviours, economic benefits, authoritarian personality, ethno-centrism, group closure, and conflicts. Prejudices can be based on people's religious beliefs, the region they come from, the colour of their skin, language, their accent or the clothes they wear. These factors lead people to form negative opinions about others without knowing much about them.
2. Write any two types of discrimination?
Answer: Caste discrimination is the most dominant reason for inequality in India, originated from the Varna system which became a rigid, birth-based graded system. Gender discrimination refers to health, education, economic and political inequalities between men and women, such as girls not being allowed to go to college or select careers of their choice. Religious discrimination is unequal treatment based on beliefs, creating problems between people of different religions.
3. Explain the solution to the removal of inequality and discrimination in Indian society?
Answer: The remedial measures include wider access to quality basic services like healthcare and education for all, being aware of current gender bias, making women more visible in public life to eradicate gender disparity, being open to learning about other religions, promoting community dining in classrooms to help students sit together without bias, socializing with people of all types outside home, and effective implementation of laws. The Constitution provides equality for all and serves as the legal framework to ensure these measures are followed.
📝 Summary
- Prejudice means judging other people negatively without knowing much about them, based on false beliefs about their religion, region, skin colour, language, or appearance.
- Stereotypes are false views that develop when prejudice becomes stronger, creating fixed ideas about groups of people, such as "girls are not good at sports."
- Inequality refers to difference in treatment, leading to various forms like caste, religious, race, or gender inequality that give rise to discrimination.
- Discrimination involves negative actions towards people, causing inequality and untouchability based on caste, religion, gender, and denying equal rights and opportunities.
- Article 15(1) of the Constitution prohibits the State from discriminating against citizens on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.