NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Sociology (Indian Society) Chapter 5 Patterns of Social Inequality and Exclusion

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 12th

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Book Name : Indian Society Ncert Solutions | Chapter-5 Sociology

Class : 12th
Subject : Sociology
Chapter : 5
Chapter Name : Patterns of Social Inequality and Exclusion

Q1 How is social inequality different from the inequality of individuals ?

Answer. The social inequality is different from the inequality of individuals as :
(a) The social inequality is developed by societal stereotypes and society in a broader context.
On the other hand, the individual inequalities are subject to the natural provisions.
(b) The social inequalities are subject to stratifications like caste, creed, colour and gender. The
individual inequalities are based upon the physical and biological attributes.
(c) The social inequalities are not subject to change by the process of individuality while as the
latter one is subject to it.
(d) The removal of social inequalities requires change within society as the individual
inequalities are nature and can be mended by medical facilities.

Q2 What are some of the features of social stratification?

Answer. Some of the features of the social stratification are :
(a) They are manifested by the societal stereotypes.
(b) They are empowered by the religious and cultural scriptures.
(c) They are legitimised by societal acceptance.
(d) They are based upon the primacy and oppression of others.
(e) They are based upon the political, economical and ideological avenues of power.

Q3 How would you distinguish prejudice from other kinds of opinion or belief ?

Answer. Prejudice is different from other opinions or beliefs because :
(a) Opinions and beliefs are based upon some practical ideas and notions. On the other hand,
the prejudices are based upon presuppositions and assertions.
(b) Opinions are subject to change but prejudices are very difficult to eradicate.
(c) Opinions don't seek legitimacy by society but the prejudices are enforced by socio-religious
parameters.

Q4 What is social exclusion ?

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Book Name : Indian Society Ncert Solutions | Chapter-5 Sociology

Answer. The socially- conditioned phenomenon where , the individuals belonging to the
underprivileged sections of the society are excluded from social activities. The caste system in
India, is the towering specimen of such exclusion. The excluded communities are subjected to
the exclusion from the basic amenities of the respective area. The fabrication of such processes
on the basis of caste, creed , colour etc is primarily done to concentrate the power and
economic resources.

Q5 What is the relationship between caste and economic inequality today ?

Answer. The caste system and the economic position are deeply connected in the societies.
The caste system mandates the occupational choice of the individuals, where the higher castes
pursue the well-monetised jobs and the underprivileged sections are left for menial jobs. The
social exclusion on the basis of caste results in the economically weaker position of the lower
castes as they are oppressed in terms of legitimising their conditions on the basis of blande
religious assertions and assumptions.

Q6 What is untouchability ?

Answer. The practice followed alongwith with the parameters of caste system, where the people
belonging to lower castes are considered as 'untouchables'. The upper castes think that even
touching the lower caste will result in impurity of their bodies and faith.

Q7 Describe some of the policies designed to address caste inequality ?

Answer. The government has introduced many policies to decrease the caste inequalities and
eradicate the institution of caste from the society. The recognition of the castes and its
documentation happened under the British rule, in the Government of India Act of, 1935. The
Article 15 of Indian constitution, aims at the abolition of discrimination on the basis of caste
identities. The Article 17 of Indian Constitution, aims at the abolition of untouchability by
introducing Untouchability Offences Act and Prevention Of Atrocities act of 1989. The
affirmative action policies are also present to confirm the proper representation of the lower
castes in the political and social institutions.

Q8 How are the Other Backward Castes different from the Dalits (or Scheduled Castes) ?

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Book Name : Indian Society Ncert Solutions | Chapter-5 Sociology

Answer. The Dalits are considered as the lower castes in the power dynamic structure. On the
other hand, the castes belonging and living under poverty line, are considered as Other
Backward Classes. they are actually the accumulation of other caste subject to the
discrimination and suppression in the society.

Q9 What are the major issues of concern to adivasis today ?

Answer. The major issues of concern to adivasis today are :
(a) The rapid industrialization resulting in the encroachment of their land by corporates.
(b) The large scale displacement by the construction of large dams and introduction of new
policies.
(c) The autonomy over the resources and the assets present in the inhabited regions.
(d) The lack of representation in the political and economical avenues.

Q10 What are the major issues taken up by the women's movement over its history ?

Answer. The issues taken up by the women's movement over the history are :
(a) The anti-arrack movement was aimed at the reduction of alcoholism among the male
population, as it affected the social and household environment.
(b) In India, the women's movement was aimed at the representation in the political avenues
which led to the declaration of 73rd and 74th Amendment of Indian Constitution.
(c) The ecological movements also saw its inclination with the feministic movements , which
gave birth to ecofeminism .
(d) The social movements raised the issues of female foeticide, women education and
eradication of social evils like dowry and child marriage.
(e) Recently, we have seen the rise of #metoo, as a movement against the sexual harassment
of women.

Q11 In what sense can one say that 'disability' is as much a social as a physical thing ?

Answer. 'Disability' is as much a social as pa physical thing as the natural inequalities are
subject to the discriminative patterns of the society. The physical and biological inequalities are
empowered by the social exclusion faced by the affected individual. The discrimination on the
basis of natural changes , is a social thing as the society gloats upon the same idea of
'normalcy' and doesn't accept the differently- abled individuals. It results in the social exclusion
and isolation of the respective communities from the discourse.

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