CBSE Class 7 Social Science Chapter 4: Growing Up as Boys and Girls NCERT Solutions

1. True. Different societies have varying perspectives on the roles assigned to boys and girls. For instance, in some cultures, boys might be primarily responsible for activities like fishing or hunting, while girls focus on domestic chores or gathering. This shows that not all societies view these roles identically.
2. False. Our society does make distinctions between boys and girls from a very young age. Boys are often encouraged to be tough and assertive, and given toys like cars or guns. Girls, on the other hand, are often taught to be gentle and nurturing, and are given dolls or kitchen sets to play with.
3. False. Women who stay at home are actively involved in numerous household chores. This includes cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, and managing the household, many of which are strenuous and time-consuming tasks.
4. True. The work that women primarily do within the home, such as childcare and household management, is often not recognized as 'work' in the same way as paid employment. It is frequently assumed to be natural or a duty, and therefore, it is not valued financially or socially as much as the work typically done by men.

1. Invisible: This means that the work is not easily seen or recognized by others. For example, the constant effort women put into managing the household, caring for children, the elderly, or sick family members, often goes unnoticed and unacknowledged as significant work. This includes tasks like planning meals, ensuring everyone has clean clothes, or providing emotional support.
2. Physically demanding: This refers to tasks that require a lot of physical strength, endurance, and effort. For instance, tasks like fetching water from a distant source, carrying heavy firewood, scrubbing floors, or washing clothes by hand for the entire family can be very physically taxing.
3. Time-consuming: This means that the tasks take up a significant amount of time. For example, a woman's daily routine often starts very early and ends late at night, filled with various chores. Helping children with homework, preparing meals, and attending to the needs of family members throughout the day are all examples of time-consuming household responsibilities.

Toys and Games for Boys: Cars, guns, swords, buses, railway trains, lions, cricket, kabaddi, hockey, football.

Toys and Games for Girls: Dolls, cooking sets, badminton, table-tennis, hide and seek.

Reasons for the Difference: The difference in toys and games often stems from societal expectations. Boys are frequently encouraged towards activities that are perceived as 'tough' or 'active', while girls are often steered towards toys and games that are seen as 'gentle', 'nurturing', or 'domestic'. This is a way society communicates to children about the distinct roles expected of them as they grow up.

Relationship to Adult Roles: Yes, this has a significant relationship. By encouraging specific types of play, society subtly prepares children for the roles they are expected to fulfill as adults. For example, playing with toy kitchens might prepare girls for domestic roles, while playing with toy vehicles or action figures might prepare boys for roles outside the home. This can later influence their choices in education and career paths.

Story: Sharda has been working as a domestic help in our house for several years. She comes from a small village in West Bengal and now lives in Delhi with her husband and teenage daughter. Her day begins very early, around 5:30 AM, and she finishes her work around 8:00 PM, taking a short break in between to go home. Sharda performs all her duties with great efficiency and skill, never complaining. We have developed a warm relationship with her and consider her part of our family. We pay her a handsome amount of Rs. 3000 per month, along with providing food, clothes, and medicines. Her husband works as a rickshaw puller, earning a decent amount daily. Sharda leads a happy life, balancing her work and family responsibilities.

In the 1920s, fishing was considered a very important activity on the Samoan islands.

The girls' school in Madhya Pradesh during the 1960s featured a central courtyard. This courtyard was designed to allow the girls to play in complete seclusion and safety, shielded from the outside world. The boys' school did not have such a courtyard.

In this context, the word 'purposeful' refers to the girls' focused and determined intention to reach home safely and as quickly as possible, implying a sense of urgency and perhaps caution while walking on the streets.