Questions
- The objectives of the environmental movements in India are different from such movements of other developed countries. Elucidate. (20 Marks)
- India has overtaken China as the most populous nation in the world. Discuss the challenges faced by India in the population control measures. (20 Marks)
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Model Structures
Q1. Do you think that communalism is another face of patriarchy? Justify with examples. (10 Marks)
Introduction
- Communalism and patriarchy are distinct social phenomena, but they can intersect and reinforce each other in certain contexts. While they are not the same, there are instances where communalism can manifest as another face of patriarchy, perpetuating gender-based discrimination and oppression.
Main Body
- Communalism and Gendered Violence:
- In some instances of communal violence, women become specific targets due to their gender. During communal riots, women from a particular community may be subjected to sexual violence and abuse as a means to humiliate and dominate the entire community.
- This form of violence is not only based on religious or ethnic identity but also fueled by patriarchal attitudes and the desire to exert power over women.
- Communal Politics and Gender Roles:
- Communalism may reinforce traditional gender roles within communities. Certain communal ideologies may promote the idea of women as the preservers of culture and religious identity.
- This can result in women's restricted mobility, limited access to education, and reinforcement of traditional gender norms that promote women's subordination to men.
- Communalism and Interfaith Marriages:
- In societies with deep-rooted communal tensions, interfaith marriages may be frowned upon or discouraged.
- This can be particularly restrictive for women, as they often face resistance, ostracization, or violence for choosing a partner from a different religious community.
- Such resistance is rooted in patriarchal notions of controlling women's choices and their roles as carriers of cultural and religious identity.
- Women as Symbols of Communal Identity:
- Women are sometimes symbolically used in communal politics to represent the honor and purity of a community.
- The targeting of women from a different community during communal conflicts is often aimed at defiling the honor and dignity of the entire community. This reflects the intersection of gender-based power dynamics with communal identities.
- Communalism and Access to Resources:
- Communal divisions can exacerbate existing gender inequalities, especially in terms of access to resources and opportunities.
- In some cases, communal conflicts and displacement disproportionately affect women, leading to their marginalization and further limiting their agency and economic independence.
- Resistance to Women's Rights:
- Attempts to advance gender-equitable laws, such as personal laws and family rights, may be resisted if they are perceived to challenge traditional communal norms and patriarchal structures.
Conclusion
- It is essential to promote both gender equality and social harmony, challenging the roots of both communalism and patriarchy in society.
Q2. Discuss the socio-cultural factors for the declining sex-ratio in some states of India. (20 Marks)
Introduction
- Socio-cultural factors are more important than even biological and demographic factors in fertility.
- Religious background, education level, age of marriage, status of women, desire to have son or son preference, attitude of people fertility towards contraception, government policies, etc. are among the major social factors that control the fertility level of population in any area.
Main Body
- Sex-ratio is one of the most important indicators used for study of population characteristics. Sex ratio of overall India has increased but there are states who are fcing decline in the sex ratios.
- There are many reasons for this consistently declining sex-ratio, like son preference, neglect of girl child resulting in high mortality at younger age, female infanticide, female foeticide, high maternal mortality and male bias in enumeration of population.
- Easy availability of the sex determination tests and abortion services is also proving to be a catalyst in the process.
- Girls are considered a burden in Indian society due to age old patriarchal values, whereas boys are an asset for additional income.
- Early marriage of girls is another reason that increases the chances of their untimely death. It not only curtails their individual will, aspiration but also plunges them into early pregnancy, poor health, frequent child bearing and somewhere in between a possibility of untimely death.
- Low levels of female literacy is another important reason which contributes to these low numbers. Education enables people to inculcate rational and scientific values rising above narrow and discriminatory religious beliefs and sentiments. Most of the personal laws are discriminatory in nature.
Conclusion
- However, both the centre and states are taking measures to fight these issues. Schemes like Apni Beti Apna Dhan, Ladli(Haryana), Beti Bachao Beti padhao are steps towards the same.
