Chapter 9 Gender Equality
Equal rights, equal respect
9.1
Discrimination or Fairness???
When Rupi was born, her parents
rejoiced over her birth. Her family was the first to lead the way in the village
to distribute sweets and celebrate Lohri on the birth of a baby girl. Some people
even ridiculed by saying that daughters have to go to new families after
marriage, they do not belong to us, why to celebrate their birth? Rupi's
parents never prejudiced or discriminated between their daughter or son and
always treated them equally. Rupi considered herself to be very fortunate and
was always busy in her studies. She always stood first in her class and brought
laurels to her family. After scoring good marks in the matriculation
examination, her father got her enrolled in the best college in the city
because his beloved daughter wanted to study medical science. She was the first
girl from her village to attend a college in a city, several kilometres away
from her village. Rupi’s parents encouraged her to be self-dependent. She also kept
her self-confidence and self-esteem in high spirits. The day Rupi received her
Ph.D. degree, her parents felt proud to be the parents of a doctorate daughter.
On the other hand, the parents of the boys who mocked at the celebrations of
Rupi's birth, look down when they saw their idle sons wandering around or
taking drugs. "
What do you learn from this
story?
Is it correct to
discriminate between a boy and a girl?
If it is right to
discriminate between a boy and a girl, then why?
If it is wrong to
discriminate between a boy and a girl, then why?
9.2
Contest
Dear students, divide all the
students in your class into two teams. Odd roll numbers will form the team-1
and even roll numbers in team-2. Assign one mark for each correct answer to the
respective team and write on the chalkboard of your class.
|
Team-1 Odd Roll Numbers |
Team-2 Even Roll Numbers |
|
·
How many boys and how many girls
are there in your class? ·
Name the jobs that only boys can
do? ·
Name some traditional jobs of boys
that girls also join nowadays? ·
Name some of the things in your
classroom that eliminate gender discrimination? |
·
How many male and how many female
teachers are there in your school? ·
Name the jobs that only girls can
do? ·
Name some traditional jobs of girls
that boys also perform nowadays? ·
Name some of the things in your
home that eliminate gender prejudices? |
1.
_______________________________________________________________
2.
_________________________________________________________________
3.
________________________________________________________________
4.
_________________________________________________________________
5.
_________________________________________________________________
6. _________________________________________________________________
7.
_________________________________________________________________
8.
_________________________________________________________________
Now calculate the points scored by
each team in this contest. Encourage the winning team. It will be even more
interesting if both the teams score equal points as the competition is about equality
and we are advocating only fairness and unbiasedness among male and female
children.
9.3 Two sides of the same coin
Dear children, look at a coin. It has
two sides. Both sides have the same value. Similarly, both males and females
are two equally important aspects of society. But a stereotyped misconception
prevails in our society that some tasks can be done only by boys and some other
duties are to be performed only by girls. It is not fair. Think about the
following situations, mark whether you agree or disagree with them. Discuss the
reasons for your choice.
|
Sr.
No. |
Statement |
Agree |
Disagree |
|
1. |
Boys
should not contribute in the cleanliness of the house. |
|
|
|
2. |
Girls
should not participate in sports activities. |
|
|
|
3. |
Boys
should have no interest in cooking or other kitchen chores. |
|
|
|
4. |
Girls
cannot be involved in farming and agricultural practices. |
|
|
|
5. |
It
does not seem good for boys to cry. |
|
|
|
6. |
Driving
and mechanical jobs are beyond the reach of girls. |
|
|
|
7. |
Girls
do not need nutritious food. |
|
|
|
8. |
Boys
cannot do works like sewing or embroidery with perfection. |
|
|
|
9. |
Boys
should not speak out against their exploitation by girls. |
|
|
|
10. |
Girls
should not disclose about the misbehaviour by boys. |
|
|
I agree because……………… I disagree
because…………………….
Note
down the names and paste pictures of two of your favourite male and female
personalities each?
Famous Personalities
Get to know more about these famous
personalities, write down their field and reason for their popularity.
1.
_________________________________________________________________
2.
_________________________________________________________________
3.
_________________________________________________________________
4.
_________________________________________________________________
5.
_________________________________________________________________
9.4 Equality
Dear students, have you ever noticed
the wheels of any two-wheeler like bicycle, a bullock-cart or a scooter? Which
of these tyres is significantly essential for the smooth running of the conveyance?
Both of the tyres are equally important and indispensable for the proper functioning
of the vehicle. Just think what if any one of these wheels is missing or gets punctured?
Similarly, our society is dependent upon two wheels, namely male and female,
for the proper working. Both are equally significant and have unique roles to
play, neither is inferior or superior. That is why the issue of gender equality
has been discussed repeatedly.
In some societies, discrimination
between a boy or a girl child initiates from birth. But just think, have you
ever noticed plants, animals, birds or insects making such biases? Your answer
would be "No" as plants, animals, birds or insects never discriminate
among their progenies as male or female. Only human race is known to have
discriminatory behaviour towards the off-springs. The only reason for this
unfair attitude is narrow mindedness that considers girls as weak and asset of
others. Such stereotypes are also fading away through education. Gender
equality is very essential for the progress of society. Boys and girls should
be provided with equal opportunities for advancement, as they have equal rights
as well as responsibilities towards society. So, any kind of discrimination or
inequity is not reasonable.
Fill
in the blanks with the help of words from the box and complete the following sentences:
indispensable,
responsibilities, other, opportunities, discrimination, fairly
1. Boys and girls should be provided
equal___________________
2.__________________should not be
there with anyone.
3. Males and females act like two___________
wheels for society.
4. Boys and girls should be given_______________
equal chances for progress.
5. Boys and girls should share__________
equally towards society.
6. No one is inferior to the____________
Now
you think and answer:
1. Is there any
discrimination in your surroundings, home/family, village/city or society? Write
in your own words.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What would you do if you
ever face any such prejudice?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Write down a message for
those who follow such prejudices between male and female genders?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Special suggestions from the teacher to the student
