NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter 9 “Family and Community”

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Find NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter 9 “Family and Community,” here.

Text Book 137

The Big Questions?

1. Why is the family unit important?

Answer:

The family is the basic and most ancient unit of society where individuals first learn how to live agreeably with others, to share their resources, and care for each other. Within a family, children grow up surrounded by love and care, which helps them develop a sense of responsibility, respect, and empathy. The family provides a support system where each member has a specific role and all members are inter-dependent.

In addition, the family plays a crucial role in teaching social and moral values. It is like a ‘school’ where children learn essential values like ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence), ‘dāna’ (giving), ‘sevā’ (service), and ‘tyāga’ (sacrifice). By imbibing these values, children understand the importance of helping others, being kind, and sacrificing their personal needs for the well-being of others.

In many families, members often put aside their own desires to ensure that the family’s needs are met. Such acts of selflessness teach children how to pay attention to others and live together in harmony. These values help in building a healthy society, as they guide individuals to be thoughtful, caring, and responsible citizens.

2. What is a community and what is its role?

Answer:

A community is a group of people who live in the same area or share something in common, like their culture, interests, or experiences. It can consist of people from the same village, town, or neighbourhood, or people who belong to the same social group, such as a sports team, a religious group, or a music group. Some communities are formed by people who have lived through similar events in life, for example the tsunami survivors, or cancer survivors.

Important functions that communities perform:

Shared Resources and Services: Communities provide important services and resources like schools, hospitals, parks, libraries, and transport systems. These resources help improve life for everyone in the community and ensure that people have what they need to live comfortably.
In rural areas some unwritten laws are followed regarding sharing of scarce resources like water, grazing lands or forest produce so that the scant resources are distributed equally among all members of the community.

Working Together to Solve Problems: Communities help people work together to solve common problems. They can come together to keep the environment clean, reduce crime, or beautify their surroundings through cleanliness drives or other community projects. For example, in rural communities, people come forward voluntarily to assist each other in preparing the land, sowing, as well during harvest.

Preserving Culture and Traditions: Communities help preserve and pass down cultural traditions, values, and practices. People celebrate festivals and share customs that have been passed down through generations, helping the next generation learn about their culture and pass it down also to future generations.

Providing Support and Care: Communities offer support to their members during difficult times. People in the community help each other, especially during natural disasters like floods or drought, or earthquakes. During the Covid pandemic many people volunteered to deliver provisions, cooked meals and medicines to the elderly.

Creating a Sense of Belonging: Being part of a community gives people a feeling of inclusion and attachment. It makes them feel needed as they are part of something larger, with shared goals and purposes.

Communities play a vital role in bringing people together, helping them work as a team, and making sure everyone feels secure and connected. All members have a role to play to ensure that the community functions smoothly.

Text book page no 138

Let’s Explore

What types of families do you see in your neighbourhood? List the type with the number of households for each type.

Answer:

In my neighbourhood, I see both joint families and nuclear families.

There are about 11 joint families and 25 nuclear families.

There are 3 single parent families.

What types are more frequent? Why do you think this is so?

Answer:

Nuclear families are more common in my neighbourhood.

I think most of the time space constraint compels people to live in nuclear families. Apartments are costly in cities, so people who come here to work cannot afford to buy or rent large apartments to accommodate all their family members. As a result, couples shift to the city with their children inro small apartments, leaving behind their parents and other relatives in their ancestral house.

As a class activity, compare with your classmates’ findings and discuss.

Class Activity Report: Family Types in Our Neighbourhoods

As part of our class activity, we collected information about the types of families in our neighbourhoods. Here’s what we found:

Joint Families:

In my neighbourhood, there are 11 joint families. These families include several generations – great grandparents, grandparents, parents, children, and even uncles, aunts, and cousins. Most of these families live in their ancestral homes where everyone stays together. These families share a close bond and the children learn all about the culture and tradition from the elders in the house.

Rakesh who lives in an old neighbourhood of the city found that almost all families in his area were joint families who had lived together in their ancestral homes for more than two hundred years. As the number of family members increase, they add another annexe to the main house to accommodate them. Some men go to distant places to work, but they leave their families behind in the care of their extended families.

Most other classmates found that the number of joint families is decreasing because people have to move to different cities for work.

Nuclear Families:

There are 25 nuclear families in my neighbourhood. These families usually consist of parents and their children. Many of these families have moved from other cities on transfer and live independently.
My friend Rani, who lives in another part of the city, found only nuclear families in her area. She lives in a newly developed part of the city with relatively reasonable housing costs which attracted young couples who migrated to the city for work.

Another classmate, Rahul, reported 15 nuclear families in his area. He also observed that nuclear families are more common in apartment buildings.

Single-Parent Families:

In my neighbourhood, there are 3 single-parent families where either the mother or father lives with the children. These families have to rely on hired help to attend to the needs of the children while the single parent is at work.
These families also rely on their extended family or neighbours for support.

Riya found 4 single-parent families in her locality, and she mentioned that these families often have strong ties with the community for help and sometimes grandparents come over to help look after the children.

Overall Findings:

After compiling our findings, we found that nuclear families are the most common type in most neighbourhoods. This is because people are more mobile nowadays. Their careers take them to different parts of the country, but their ancestral houses cannot be left empty. So, grandparents stay on in their native place while the young people move to different cities for work.

Joint families are fewer but still exist specially in business communities where adult members are involved in the family business. It is practical for them to stay together to run their business smoothly. They also live in spacious houses with extra land for expansion of the house when the need arises.

We discussed how the type of family differs depending on the locality, the space available and the lifestyle chosen by the people. It was a good learning experience which taught us how and why different family setups function in our communities.

Text book page no 139

Let’s Explore

Make a list of all the members of your family you can think of, including a few distant relatives. List their terms in your mother tongue or regional language and try to find the equivalent in English. Two examples are below for Hindi:

Name	Term in Hindi	Description/ Term in English
Rani	बहन	Mother’s brother’s daughter(cousin)
Sameer	चाचा	Father’s younger brother (uncle)
Shantanu	मामा	Mother’s brother (uncle)
Anita	बुआ	Father’s sister (aunt)
Lakshmi	दादी	Father’s mother (grandmother)
Abhay	ताऊ	Father’s elder brother (uncle)
Sneha	भाभी	Brother’s wife (sister-in-law)
Arati	नानी	Mother’s mother (grandmother)
Rakesh	मौसा	Mother’s sister’s husband (uncle)
Sumana	फूफी	Father’s elder sister (aunt)
Gautam	भतीजा	Brother’s son (nephew)
Meera	साली	Wife’s sister (sister-in-law)
Kaustav	दादा	Father’s father (grandfather)
Hritwik	जीजा	Sister’s husband (brother-in-law)

The above table shows that there are many subtle differences in relationships in Hindi which require multiple words to translate accurately in English. For example,  “चाचा” , “ताऊ” , “मामा”, “मौसा” are all grouped under the word ‘uncle’ in English, but in Hindi they spell out different relationships like ‘father’s younger brother’, ‘father’s elder brother’, ‘mother’s brother’ and ‘mother’s sister’s husband’ respectively.

Text Book Page no 140

LET’S EXPLORE

Answer these questions and compare your answers with a few classmates. Who in your family decides what is to be bought from the market?

Answer:

My parents make a list of what is to be brought from the market, they also ask my grandmother if she needs anything.

Who cooks food in your home?

Answer:

My mother usually cooks food, but occasionally my grandmother prepares some special dishes. My father cooks sometimes if my mother is not well.

Who is the oldest person in your family?

Amswer:

My grandmother who is 72 years is the oldest member in our family.

Who cleans the floor in your home?

Answer:

We have a hired help who cleans the floors, Sometimes I mop the floor before spreading out the mat to do yoga.

Who washes utensils in your house?

Answer:

The hired help washes the cooking utensils. We each wash our own plates and spoons after meals. This is a practice we introduced during the pandemic when the help could not come to work and my mother had to wash all the utensils.

Who helps you to do your homework?

Answer:

Both my parents help me do my homework.

Text Book Page no 141

LET’S EXPLORE

Draw a simple tree of this family of seven members.

Answer:

Why do you think Shalini’s parents bought clothes for everyone?

Answer:

Shalini’s parents bought new clothes for everyone because they wanted to celebrate the festival together as a family. Since Shalini’s uncle had lost his job and was unable to buy clothes for his wife and child, Shalini’s parents bought clothes for all so that no one felt left out of the festivities. It was their way of expressing love and care for each family member making all feel valued. Family members support each other and share what they have even if it means sacrificing one’s own desires.

What would you have done if you were in Shalini’s place?

Answer:

If I were in Shalini’s place, I would have been delighted that my parents thought of everyone and bought clothes for the entire family. I would feel grateful to belong to a family where everyone shares selflessly and celebrates together.

This activity shows us the importance of family unity and the joy of giving and sharing with our loved ones.

Text book Page no 142

THINK ABOUT IT

Why does Tenzing’s father consult his wife for special expenses?

Answer:

Tenzing’s father consults his wife for special expenses because he respects her opinion. By discussing these expenses, they are able to prioritise their needs and plan their family finances together. It shows that both parents are equal partners and together share the responsibility of providing for the family’s needs.

How do you feel about his participation in household chores?

Answer:

I think that Tenzing’s father very rightly participates in household chores instead of thinking of them as the sole domain of women. He sets a positive example for the family showing that it is the responsibility of all members of the family to contribute towards maintaining the home.

What roles do the grandparents fulfil?

Answer:

Tenzing’s grandparents support and guide Tenzing. His grandmother teaches him to connect to their values and culture by telling stories filled with wisdom and wit.
His grandfather helps him with his homework and escorts him to the school bus stop. His grandfather also helps others in the community setting an example of selfless service to the community and the value of service and empathy.

Text Book page no 143

LET’S EXPLORE

Create a story of a family somewhere in India, where we see some family values practised. Share it with your class either through writing or drawing.

Answer:

This story emphasizes family values like cooperation, faith, and unity while highlighting the deadly dangers faced by the inhabitants of the Sunderbans.

The Family of the Mangrove Village

In a small village in the Sunderbans, a poor man called Ravi lived with his wife Meena, their two children, Neel and Tara, and his old parents. The family barely survived by selling honey and firewood that Ravi collected from the forest. Every day, he braved the dangers lurking in the forest like poisonous snakes and tigers to collect pure honey which he sold to tradesmen from the city.

Before Ravi ventured into the forest with other villagers, his mother always offered a prayer for his safe return, teaching the children the value of courage and hope. One day, after Ravi went into the forest, news came that a tiger had been spotted in the sector of the forest where Ravi’s group had gone that day. Meena was worried but remained cool, telling the children, “We must trust that he’ll return safely.”

At dusk, Ravi returned home, exhausted but unhurt. He narrated how the tiger had approached, but the villagers had stayed together, protecting one another. “The forest is dangerous,” he said, “but we survive because we help each other.”

That evening, as the family gathered by the fire, Ravi taught his children about the importance of unity and cooperation. His father, with the wisdom of experience, advised the villagers to take turns looking out for each other during forest trips. His suggestion was accepted by all and the community decided to implement it immediately.
In spite of their dire poverty and the constant danger of being carried away by tigers, the family firmly believed that their strength lay in remaining united, supporting each other during a crisis and braving all challenges together.

Stage a small drama with all your classmates around two or three families. The play you write could include some challenging situations that the families faced, and show how they are resolved.

Answer:

Do it yourself. But we have provided two short samples for your reference.

The Fancy Clothes

Characters:

Meera (a teenager)

Rina (Meera’s younger sister)

Mother

Father

(Meera and Rina are in the living room. Meera looks at her phone, frustrated.)

Meera: Everyone at school has expensive branded clothes. I want them too!

Mother: Meera, we know it’s tough when you see your friends with fancy things we can’t afford right now.

Father: We focus on what’s essential, Meera. You’re special because of who you are, not what you wear.

Meera: But I don’t want to feel left out…

Rina: Your friends like you for you, not your clothes!

Mother: You are a bright girl with a wonderful sense of humour which never fails to impress all! Remember, true confidence comes from within and not from the clothes you wear or the accessories you carry.

Meera: You’re right. I don’t need fancy clothes to fit in. I’ll focus on what really matters.

(They all smile and nod in agreement.)

The End.

Bottom of Form

“Challenges in the Family”

Characters:

Father (Mr. Roy)

Mother (Mrs. Roy)

Daughter (Anita)

Scene 1: The Roy Family – Misunderstanding over Chores

(The scene opens with Mr. Roy reading the newspaper, and Mrs. Roy rushing around, preparing breakfast.)

Mrs. Roy: (annoyed) Why do I always have to take responsibility for preparing all the meals? I also have come back home tired from work, you know!

Mr. Roy: (calmly) I didn’t know you needed help. Why didn’t you ask?

Mrs. Roy: (upset) I shouldn’t have to ask! Anita’s at her coaching class and will be hungry when she returns and you just sit here!

Mr. Roy: (pausing) You’re right. I should have noticed. From now on, I’ll help with the cooking. We can divide the chores and work like a team.

(Anita enters, overhearing the conversation.)

Anita: Mom, Dad, I want to help too! Maybe I can help set the table after school.

Mrs. Roy: (smiling) That would be a big help, Anita. Thank you.

(They all smile, feeling closer and more connected as a family.)

In the stories of Shalini and Tenzing, we see examples of joint families. What do you think are the aspects of modern living that make some couples opt for a nuclear family (i.e., living apart from older generations or other relatives)?
What could be some advantages as well as disadvantages of the two kinds of families?

Answer:

Aspects of Modern Living which make some couples opt for a nuclear family:

Privacy: Some couples prefer to have their own space and want to lead their lives without undue interference from the extended family.

Job Opportunities: People are often compelled to move to different cities for jobs, which makes it difficult to live with extended family.

Independent decision making: Modern living often promotes independence, and couples may prefer to make decisions independently without consulting anyone else.

Advantages of a Joint Family:

Support System: There are more people to help with household tasks and take care of children or the elderly.

Shared Responsibilities: Expenses are shared among family members.

Cultural Traditions: Living with grandparents and other relatives helps children learn about family traditions and values. They learn to care for the elderly and share their things with their cousins.

Disadvantages of a Joint Family:

Lack of Privacy: There may be less personal space and fewer opportunities to make independent decisions.

Conflicting Opinions: With many members living together, disagreements may arise more often.

Advantages of a Nuclear Family:

More Privacy: Couples face no intrusion into their space and are able to enjoy their privacy.

Independence: Families can function according to their own schedules and needs without having to consider the wellbeing of extended family members.

Disadvantages of a Nuclear Family:

Limited Support: Without the support of the extended family, couples may have trouble managing all household responsibilities on their own, specially taking care of their children.

Isolation: Children may not get the same exposure to family values and traditions as in a joint family. They could also suffer from loneliness or depression.

Text book page no 146

Kamal Parmar’s Community Initiative

Discuss this story in your class. What kind of attitude towards the community does it reveal?

Answer:

Kamal Parmar’s enterprise reveals a strong sense of responsibility, commitment and compassion towards the community. He found that many underprivileged children were being left behind and decided to help them, even though it meant sacrificing his own leisure after work. His actions demonstrate that he has deep empathy for others and believes in the power of education to turn their lives around. He also desires to ensure that every child, regardless of his/her background, is gets a level playing field to learn and grow.

What values get reflected in Kamal Parmar’s initiative?

Answer:

Kamal Parmar’s initiative reflected several core values:

Compassion: He cared deeply about the children and their needs, offering not just lessons but also meals.

Generosity: He devoted his time, resources, and energy to help those who were on the fringes of society.

Community spirit: He inspired others to join the project, including teachers and older students, proving that working together can bring about positive change.

Selflessness: Kamal didn’t seek any reward or praise for his efforts; he did it purely to help the children.

Dedication: Despite the noisy environment and lack of proper facilities, he continued his mission to educate the children, proving his single-minded dedication to the cause.

Think about those underprivileged children. Do you think society has been unfair to them?

Answer:

Yes, I think society has been unfair to those children. They were denied the basic right to go to school or a quiet place to learn, which are important for their growth and future prospects. Many of them couldn’t attend school because their families didn’t have enough money to support them or because of discrimination faced at school.  While Kamal’s initiative helped them temporarily, the larger issue was that these children weren’t getting the same opportunities as others, reflecting the inequality in the system and discrimination against the marginalised.

What should society do to make sure that all children get access to education?

Answer:

Society should ensure that schools are available for all children regardless of where they live or the financial condition of their families.

There should be free schools, and help for families who can’t afford books, uniforms, or transportation.

Society should also create programs to encourage children who drop out of school or have never been to school, giving them a chance to learn.

Teachers and community members can work together to help children stay in school.

The Government should make strict rules to ensure every child gets an education and that the Right to Education is not simply an empty promise.

Text Book Page no 147

LET’S EXPLORE

Make a list of all people outside your family that are supporting you through their work in one way or another.

Answer:

Here’s a list of people outside the family who support us through their work:

Teachers – Help with education and learning.

Doctors/Nurses – Provide medical care when we’re sick.

Shopkeepers – Sell the things we need, like food, clothes, and school supplies.

Garbage Collectors – Keep our neighbourhood clean by collecting waste.

Bus/Auto Drivers – Help us travel to school or other places safely.

Farmers – Grow the food that we eat.

Police Officers – Keep our community safe.

Electricians/Plumbers – Fix problems at home like broken lights or water pipes.

Postmen/Couriers – Deliver important letters and packages.

Construction Workers – Build and maintain roads, homes, and schools.

These are just a representative sample of people whose work helps make our daily life smoother and easier!

Text Book Page no 148

LET’S EXPLORE

What types of communities are you part of? Is there a club that you are a part of in school? How does it function

Answer:

Do it yourself. We have provided you a sample for your reference:

I am part of different communities, both in and outside school. Here are a few examples:

School Community – All my classmates, teachers, and school staff and I belong to this community. We all work together to learn and grow. We support each other in studies and do joint projects, participate in events.

Sports Club – I’m part of the school’s football club. We meet for practice after school, learn new skills, and play matches against other teams. Our coach instructs us and motivates us to work together and become a formidable team.

Neighbourhood Community – The people living around us form a neighbourhood community. We come together to celebrate festivals, work together to keep our locality clean and safe. We help each other in times of need and ensure the well-being of our community.

Online Learning Group – I also belong to an online study group where we share notes, help each other with homework, and discuss difficult problems. It is a strong support system because we encourage each other and help to boost the confidence of members before exams.

In all these communities, the common denominator is that we work together, share responsibilities, and help each other grow. It is satisfying to belong to groups where we can contribute and learn.

Text Book Page no 148

Questions, activities and projects

1. What are some of the rules you follow in your family and neighbourhood? Why are they important?

Answer:

In my family, these are a few basic rules which we follow scrupulously to maintain peace and harmony:

Respect everyone: We always speak gently and respectfully to all family members, whether it be parents, siblings, or elders. Even if we have differences of opinion, we express our arguments logically and settle the disputes in a peaceful manner. This helps us stay connected and avoid misunderstandings.

Eating together at the table: We always have dinner together as a family. It helps us bond and share our experiences during the day.

Study time: Every evening, there’s a fixed time for studying without any distractions like TV or phones. This rule is important because it helps us stay focused and do well in school.

Help with chores: Each member of the family is assigned specific chores to perform. All of us help with small tasks, like cleaning or setting the table, filling up water jugs and ensuring that the bottles of water in the fridge are not empty. This practice helps make things easier for my mother and trains us to be responsible.

No wasting resources: We make sure to use water and electricity carefully and avoid wasting food. This is important to conserve resources and help the environment.

In my neighbourhood, these are rules which we follow sincerely:

Keeping the area clean: All residents are committed to keeping our locality clean. We ensure that all residents throw garbage in dustbins and do not litter, so the area stays clean and safe.

Maintaining silence at night: We do not play any loud music after 10 pm at night to enable everyone, especially the elderly to sleep peacefully.

Helping the elderly: We take turns helping elderly neighbours with tasks like grocery shopping. This initiative was started during the pandemic when the elderly were advised to stay at home. As this step was appreciated by the elderly, we decided to continue it.

It is important to follow these rules because they help us live together harmoniously, keep our surroundings clean, and ensure that everyone feels respected and comfortable.

2. Do you think some rules are unfair to a few people in the family or community? Why?

Answer:

Yes, some rules might appear unfair to certain people in the family or community. Here are some examples:

Different chores for boys and girls: In some families, boys are asked to do outside chores like washing the car, while girls are expected to help with cooking or cleaning the house. This is unfair because both boys and girls should be allowed to learn and do all kinds of tasks, regardless of gender.

Only adults make decisions: In some families, only the parents or elders make important decisions, without asking the children for their opinions. This seems unfair because children may have innovative ideas or needs that should be heard.

Community events excluding certain people: In some neighbourhoods, events like festivals or gatherings might exclude certain people based on income or social status. For example, only wealthier families might be invited to specific get-togethers, which creates a rift in society.

Housing discrimination: Some landlords or housing societies may refuse to rent or sell homes to people from certain backgrounds, religions, or regions. For example, some housing societies do not allow non-vegetarians to rent or buy apartments in their housing complexes even if they can afford it. This discrimination compels people to live in areas with fewer resources or opportunities, making it harder for them to live comfortably.

Employment opportunities: In some communities, job opportunities might be limited to people from specific backgrounds, leaving others at a disadvantage. For example, women or people from lower castes might be denied jobs despite being qualified.

These rules or situations can create a sense of inequality and exclusion, making some people feel left out or unimportant. Everyone should be treated equally and fairly, whether in a family or community.

3. Describe several situations that you have observed where community support makes a difference. You can draw or write about these.

Answer:

Here are some situations observed by me where community support makes a difference:

Natural Disasters: After the devastating cyclone Amphan, community members came together to provide food, temporary shelter, clothes and emotional support to affected families. Volunteers helped rebuild homes and provided medical aid.

Neighbourhood Watch: Our community has organised a Neighbourhood Watch program to reduce crime and increase safety through collective vigilance. One male member from each family in the locality has to keep watch one night a week by turn. Four people patrol the locality to ensure that no suspicious people are prowling around. They also share information about suspicious activities and coordinate with local police authorities to keep the area secure.

Fundraising for Medical Treatment: Community members raised funds for a neighbour’s cancer treatment. They offered financial aid, organized events to raise awareness and funds, and provided emotional support to the family during difficult times.

Voluntary Community Cleanup Initiatives: One instance which stands out in memory is the massive clean-up of Versova beach in Mumbai by a local lawyer named Afroz Shah. Many volunteers joined and helped remove tons of plastic and other waste thereby improving the environmental condition of Versova beach which had been plagued by acute pollution for decades.

Disability Support: Community members rallied around a family with a disabled child, providing resources, inclusive activities, and emotional support. They also made sure public spaces were accessible for people with disabilities.

Tutoring and Mentorship Programs: Older students and professionals in the community volunteered to tutor under-privileged children or provide mentorship, helping them with their studies, career guidance, and building self-confidence.

Senior Citizen Care: In some areas, communities serve the older members by checking on them regularly, by helping with groceries, and ensuring they have access to healthcare. This support fosters a caring environment for the elderly.

Community Celebrations: Cultural events, festivals, and neighbourhood gatherings bring the community together, fostering a sense of connection, belonging, and unity. These events also helped preserve cultural heritage and traditions. For example, the Navratri celebrations or the Durga Puja celebrations in which the entire community participates

These examples show how communities can come together to make a big difference in various aspects of life, from helping during crises to celebrating shared cultural traditions.

Frequently Asked questions (FAQs) on NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter 9 “Family and Community”