Class 6 Social Science Important Questions Chapter 9

Family and Community

Question 1. Why is the family unit important?

Answer: The family unit is important because it is the fundamental and most ancient unit of any society. It provides love, care, cooperation, and support to its members. Families teach values like ahimsa (non-violence), seva (service), and dharma (duty), helping individuals grow into responsible members of society.

Question 2. What are the two main types of families mentioned in the chapter?

Answer: The two main types of families mentioned are:

• Joint Family: Several generations live together, including grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.
• Nuclear Family: A smaller family structure consisting of a couple and their children, or one parent and children.

Question 3. What responsibilities do family members have towards each other?

Answer: Family members have roles and responsibilities based on cooperation and interdependence. For example:

• Parents are responsible for raising children and providing for their needs.
• Children also take on household responsibilities as they grow, helping with chores and supporting other family members.

Question 4. What values are taught in the family according to Indian tradition?

Answer: Indian tradition emphasizes the values of ahimsa (non-violence), dāna (giving), seva (service), and tyāga (sacrifice). Families teach these values through daily practices and responsibilities, fostering a sense of duty and care among their members.

Question 5. What is a community, and what is its role?

Answer: A community is a group of people connected by common goals or shared interests. Communities come together to celebrate festivals, organize events, support each other in agricultural practices, and manage shared resources like water or forests. The role of a community is to ensure mutual support and cooperation for the well-being of all its members.

Question 6. Give an example of a community initiative mentioned in the chapter.

Answer: An example mentioned is the Bhil community in Madhya Pradesh, who came together to plant thousands of trees and dig trenches to conserve rainwater, addressing the water crisis in their region. This was part of their tradition of halma, which emphasizes service to the community and the environment.

Question 7. What differences between joint and nuclear families are discussed in the chapter?

Answer:

• Joint Family: Includes multiple generations living together and emphasizes close bonds among family members. Responsibilities are shared among a larger group.
• Nuclear Family: A smaller family unit that consists of parents and children, often living apart from extended family. It allows for more privacy but may lack the support system of a joint family.

Question 8. What responsibilities did Shalini’s family demonstrate in the chapter?

Answer: Shalini’s family demonstrated their responsibility by buying new clothes for her uncle, aunt, and cousin during the festival of Onam, even though it meant that Shalini had to settle for a simpler dress. This act showed how families support each other, especially in times of need.

Question 9. How does Tenzing’s family in Meghalaya function as a community?

Answer: In Tenzing’s family, all members contribute to household chores. His father helps with cleaning and gardening, his grandmother tells stories, and his grandfather helps with homework and engages in social work. This example shows how family members can work together to share responsibilities and care for one another.

Question 10. How do communities function in both rural and urban settings, as described in the chapter?

Answer: In rural settings, communities often come together to share resources, such as water or grazing land, and to assist with agricultural practices. In urban settings, communities may form Resident Welfare Associations that create rules for waste management, cleanliness, and other common responsibilities. In both cases, communities depend on cooperation to function smoothly.

Question 11. What is the significance of the terms used for family members in Indian languages compared to English?

Answer: In Indian languages, there are many specific terms for different family members, such as bua (father’s sister), chacha (father’s younger brother), and mausi (mother’s sister). These terms reflect the deep relationships within the family. In contrast, English has fewer specific terms, and cousins are referred to simply as ‘brothers’ or ‘sisters’ in most Indian languages, emphasizing the closeness among family members.

Question 12. Why are responsibilities important in a family?

Answer: Responsibilities are important in a family because they help maintain harmony, cooperation, and care within the household. Each family member plays a role, whether it is parents taking care of children or children helping with household chores. These responsibilities teach children life skills and the importance of contributing to the well-being of the family.

Question 13. How do family values such as dharma and seva shape family life?

Answer: Values like dharma (duty) and seva (service) play a crucial role in shaping family life. These values encourage family members to act selflessly, often prioritizing the needs of the family over their own desires. For example, in Shalini’s story, her family showed dharma by supporting her uncle’s family during a financial crisis, teaching the importance of caring for others.

Question 14. Describe the concept of halma as practiced by the Bhil community in Madhya Pradesh.

Answer: Halma is a tradition practiced by the Bhil community in Madhya Pradesh, where community members come together in times of crisis to help each other. For example, they planted thousands of trees and dug trenches to conserve rainwater during a severe water crisis. The halma tradition focuses on serving the community and the environment without expecting anything in return.

Question 15. What lessons do children learn in the family, as described in the chapter?

Answer: Children learn several lessons in the family, including:

• Cooperation: Working together with other family members.
• Dharma: Performing duties towards the family.
• Seva and Tyaga: Learning the values of service and sacrifice for the greater good of the family and society. These lessons help children grow into responsible and caring individuals who understand the importance of contributing to their family and community.

Question 16. What roles do grandparents play in Tenzing’s family?

Answer: In Tenzing’s family, the grandparents play important roles. His grandmother tells him stories full of humor and wisdom, while his grandfather helps with homework and takes part in social work within the community. This shows how older generations contribute to the upbringing and well-being of the family while also engaging with the wider community.

Question 17. How does the community help in managing natural resources, according to the chapter?

Answer: In many rural areas, communities work together to manage shared natural resources, such as water, grazing land, and forest produce. These community-based practices ensure fair use of resources and sustainable management, allowing everyone to benefit from them. For example, tribal communities often set informal rules for sharing resources to maintain harmony and prevent overuse.

Question 18. What examples of community service during crises are mentioned in the chapter?

Answer: Two examples of community service during crises are:

• The Bhil community’s tree-planting and water conservation efforts in Madhya Pradesh to address the water crisis.
• During the Chennai floods in 2015, private groups and religious organizations cooked and distributed food to people affected by the floods.
• These examples highlight how communities come together during emergencies to help one another.

Question 19. What are Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and how do they function as communities in urban areas?

Answer: Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are community organizations in urban areas where residents create their own rules and regulations for managing shared resources like waste management, cleanliness, and maintenance of common areas. People living in the community participate in decision-making, and these associations foster cooperation and mutual support among residents.

Question 20. How do nuclear families differ from joint families in terms of modern living?

Answer: Nuclear families, where only parents and children live together, are more common in modern living due to factors like urbanization, job mobility, and privacy needs. Joint families, on the other hand, include multiple generations living together and provide a wider support network. While nuclear families offer more independence, joint families offer greater emotional and financial support.

Question 21. What role does interdependence play in communities?

Answer: Interdependence is crucial in communities as individuals and families rely on each other for support, resources, and cooperation. For example, Resident Welfare Associations in urban areas depend on municipal workers for waste disposal, and trading communities provide supplies. This mutual reliance ensures that communities function smoothly and all members benefit.

Question 22. How does Kamal Parmar’s story reflect community spirit?

Answer: Kamal Parmar’s story, where he voluntarily provided tuition and meals to underprivileged children, reflects a strong sense of community spirit. His selfless actions helped 150 children gain access to education. This story highlights how individuals can make a significant impact on the community by giving back without expecting anything in return.

Question 23. What values are reflected in Kamal Parmar’s initiative?

Answer: Kamal Parmar’s initiative reflects values such as compassion, selflessness, and dedication to the betterment of society. His willingness to help underprivileged children without expecting anything in return showcases a deep sense of responsibility towards the community.

Question 24. How can society ensure that all children have access to education, as suggested in the chapter?

Answer: Society can ensure that all children have access to education by:

• Providing free or affordable educational resources.
• Creating inclusive policies that ensure equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their socio-economic background.
• Encouraging community initiatives, like Kamal Parmar’s, that support underprivileged children in gaining access to learning.