NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Sociology (Indian Society) Chapter 2 The Demographic Structure of the Indian Society

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 12th

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Book Name : Indian Society Ncert Solutions | Chapter-2 Sociology

Class : 12th
Subject : Sociology
Chapter : 2
Chapter Name : The Demographic Structure of the Indian Society

Q1 Explain the basic argument of the theory of demographic transition period associated with a
'population explosion' ?

Answer. The theory of demographic transition is based upon the idea that the principle of the
population growth is dependent upon the developmental plan of the respective country. It states
that in the first phase of population growth, it is primarily low because of the economic
backwardness. In the second phase, it suggests that the high birth and death rate also affects
the growth. In the third phase , it lays emphasis upon the low growth rate of the developed
countries, even if the conditions of reduction are achieved in the domains of low birth and death
rates. It lays its premises upon the transition of the backward countries to developed countries
by proper maintenance of growth rates.

The main argument of the above theory regarding the 'population explosion', is that it happens
because of the low death rates and high mortality rates by the induction of facilities to decrease
the survival and natality inequality in the biological and societal paradigms. It suggests that the
respective explosion is necessary for the economic development the the achievement of stable
rates in the survival categories.

Q2 Why did Mathlus believe that catastrophic events like famines and epidemics that cause
mass deaths were inevitable?

Answer. 'Thomas Robert Mathlus' believed that the catastrophic events like famines and
epidemics that cause mass deaths were inevitable because he believed they were the
respective 'positive checks' to curb the population growth of the countries. He believed that their
was not equitable balance between the population growth and economic or agricultural
development.

Q3 What is meant by 'birth rate' and 'death rate'? Explain why the birth rate is relatively slow to
fall while the death rate declines much faster ?

Answer. 'Birth rate' is the total number of live births in a particular area, divided by the total
population of the respective area in thousands.
'Death rate' is the total number of deaths in a respective area, during a given time per thousand

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population.

The birth rate is relatively slow to fall than the 'death rate', because of the following reasons:
(a) The adequate facilities are available to decrease the level of epidemic diseases and the
deaths caused by it.
(b) The medical facilities have improved, which results in a considerable decline in death rates.
(c) The issues of correct family planning and negative population concepts are still alien within
the societal parameters , due to the lack of family planning.

Q4 Which states in India have reached or are very close to the "replacement levels of
population growth ? Which ones still have very high rates of population growth? In your opinion,
what could be some of the reasons for these regional differences ?

Answer. The difference between the birth rate and death rate , when results in 'zero', it is
considered as a stabilised growth rate or the 'replacement level'. In the country of India, Tamil
Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Karnataka etc have reached the low fertility rates and 'replacement
levels (2009). The states like Madhya Pradesh , Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, etc have
not achieved the replacement levels.
These differences are mainly because :
(a) Lack of awareness programmes.
(b) Lack of Planning.
(c) Lack of Contraceptive knowlege or sex education.
(d) Lack of women's health education.
(e) Lack of Abortion facilities.
(d) Socio-Cultural barriers.

Q5 What is meant by the 'age structure' of the population? Why is it relevant for economic
development and growth ?

Answer. The age structure is defined as the proportion of individuals belonging to specific age
groups within the population composition. The developmental facilities in medicine, education
etc have a tremendous impact upon the age structure. It displays the composition of the
economic human capital in terms of individuals belonging to the 'working class' of the respective
model.

Q6 What is meant by the 'sex ratio'? What are some of the implications of a declining sex ratio
?Do you feel that parents still prefer to have sons rather than the daughters? What, in your

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opinion, could be some reasons for this preference ?

Answer. The 'sex ratio' is defined as the number of females per 1000 males in a given area at a
specific point in time.
The implications of the declining sex ratio results in the :
(a) Decrease in the female proportion of the population composition.
(b) Decrease in the participation of women in the 'working avenues'.
(c) Decrease in the growth rate and productivity rate of the respective country.

Yes, the parents still prefer to have sons rather than daughters but the respective notion is
getting eradicated by proper awareness and education. The reasons of the respective
preference are :
(a) Lack of Awareness.
(b) Lack of gender studies.
(c) The lack of occupational avenues for women.
(d) The baggage consideration by family because of marriage and dowry.
(e) Patriarchal and Misogynistic societal patterns.

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