CBSE Important Questions for Class 7 Social Science Growing Up As Boys And Girls - 2025-26
FAQs on CBSE Important Questions for Class 7 Social Science Growing Up As Boys And Girls - 2025-26
1. What are some of the key distinctions society makes between boys and girls during their upbringing, as highlighted in Chapter 4?
As per the CBSE syllabus for the 2025-26 session, Chapter 4 explains that society creates distinctions in several ways:
- Toys: Boys are often given toys like cars, guns, and building blocks to encourage technical skills and toughness, while girls are given dolls and kitchen sets, which promote nurturing and domestic roles.
- Behavioural Expectations: Boys are taught to be strong, aggressive, and not show emotion, whereas girls are encouraged to be soft-spoken, gentle, and obedient.
- Colour Association: Specific colours are often associated with genders, like blue for boys and pink for girls, reinforcing identity distinctions from a very early age.
2. How was the experience of growing up in Samoa in the 1920s different from the experience of children in Madhya Pradesh in the 1960s?
The experiences were vastly different, showing how upbringing is shaped by culture:
- Samoa (1920s): Children did not attend school and learned essential life skills like fishing from older children. Responsibility was key, with older children caring for younger ones. There was more freedom and collective learning.
- Madhya Pradesh (1960s): Gender segregation was prominent. The girls' school had an enclosed courtyard for safe, secluded play, while the boys' school was open. This design reflected societal norms where girls' movements were restricted, and boys had more freedom in public spaces.
3. Why is the work women do inside the home often devalued or considered not to be 'work'?
The primary reason housework is devalued is that it is unpaid. Society often equates 'work' with activities that generate a wage. Housework and caregiving are seen as a natural responsibility or an inherent part of being a woman rather than a demanding, time-consuming job. This makes the labour 'invisible' and unrecognised in economic terms, despite its crucial role in the family and society.
4. Explain the concept of the 'double burden' that many working women face. What is its impact?
The 'double burden' refers to the situation where women who work for pay outside the home are also expected to manage the majority of domestic chores and childcare. This creates a dual workload. The impact is significant:
- It leads to immense physical and mental strain on women.
- It leaves them with very little personal or leisure time.
- It perpetuates gender inequality by reinforcing the idea that domestic tasks are solely a woman's duty, regardless of her professional responsibilities.
5. What does it mean to say that gender roles are 'socially constructed' and not natural?
To say gender roles are 'socially constructed' means that the expectations and behaviours associated with being a boy or a girl are not determined by biology but are taught and reinforced by society. Family, schools, and media teach us what is considered 'appropriate' for each gender. For example, the belief that women are naturally more nurturing or that men shouldn't show vulnerability are ideas created by culture, not by nature. This is a crucial concept to understand for exams as it helps challenge and change unfair stereotypes.
6. For a 5-mark question in your exam, how would you describe the different ways boys and girls use public spaces after school, based on the chapter?
For a 5-mark answer, you should explain the contrast in the use of public space as a reflection of societal control:
- Boys: Often use streets and open areas as an extension of their playground. They are seen playing, cycling, or simply gathering with friends, thereby claiming the public space as their own. Their presence is seen as normal and acceptable.
- Girls: Tend to walk in groups and go directly home after school. The street is perceived more as a path to get home rather than a space for leisure. This is due to societal norms and concerns about their safety and reputation, which restricts their freedom of movement.
7. What is one of the most important takeaways from Chapter 4, 'Growing Up as Boys and Girls', for your Social Science exam?
One of the most important takeaways is that inequality between men and women is not a natural state but a result of deep-rooted social discrimination. Understanding that stereotypes about work, behaviour, and abilities are learned helps us see how government and society can take steps, like valuing care work and promoting equal opportunities, to create a more just world. This is a high-value concept for analytical questions.
8. How can practising these important questions for Chapter 4 help me score better in the 2025-26 CBSE Class 7 exam?
Practising these questions helps you prepare strategically for the 2025-26 exam by:
- Focusing on high-frequency topics such as gender stereotypes, the value of housework, and social constructs.
- Providing practice for different formats, from short-answer to detailed 5-mark questions.
- Helping you structure your answers effectively and use key terms that examiners look for, ensuring you meet the requirements of the CBSE evaluation pattern.
