Page 205 - SST Class 07

the girls, we have many facts to show that girls are
in no way inferior to men. Consider these points :
q It is incorrect to think that girls are soft and
delicate. Girls have achieved those feats in the
sports which most of the men can only think.
Just look at the women gymnasts, runners,
athletes, players, mountaineers, and think for a
while if even half of the boys can hope to
achieve them.
q It is incorrect to think that the girls are fit for
household jobs only. They have shown that
they are equally proficient in outdoor activities.
They are fine soldiers, pilots, engineers,
managers, teachers, astronauts, and other
professionals. Think of a profession, and you
will find the representation of women in it.
q It is incorrect to think that girls are fit only for
‘homely’ professions, such as teaching,
tailoring, office work etc. They have proved
their mettle in the battle grounds, laboratories
and medical colleges equally well.
Bachendri Pal Indira Gandhi Indria Nooyi
The achievements of women are numerous in
almost all walks of life, so it is not correct to
restrict their activities to certain fields only. Year society cannot lead a normal life in the
after year, we find that girls have done better in
academic examinations.
And the greatest contribution of woman is simply
the noblest—she is the mother, it is due to her effort
that a boy can ever think of doing well in life.
Info Bits
Info Bits
Traditionally, banking was seen to be a male
dominated sector. But now we have Chanda
Kochhar as the Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer of ICICI Bank. Under her, ICICI
Bank has won the Best Retail Bank in India award
in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005. She has also been
awarded ‘Business Woman of the Year 2005’ by the
Economic Times.
AGENCIES OF GENDER INEQUALITY
Astonishingly, the agencies of gender inequality
are all around us, and perhaps we too are one of
these agencies.
Family
In fact, gender inequality starts right from within
the four walls of the family. A family comprises of
some male members and some female members.
Generally, the household duties are assigned to
the female members while outdoor duties are
assigned to the male members. Even girl-children
and boy-children are considered unequal. Boys
are given guns, bats and balls to play, while girls
get dolls, toy-utensils and musical instruments.
Boys are asked to buy things from the market and
girls are asked to mop the floor. Boys are
preferably sent to a good school whether it is near
or far, but girls are preferably sent to a nearby
school whether it is good or not. Many girls
cannot attend school simply because there is no
school in the village. Since secondary schools are
not available in all villages, the drop out rate of
girls is far more than that of boys.
Community
When a girl or woman steps out of her house,
discriminating looks are cast at her. Men want to
harass her and assault her. They want to touch her
and say bad things. All these activities are keenly
watched. Due to this, a female member of the
community.
Educational Institutions
Though girls outperform boys at all levels of
education, yet it is considered better to give them
‘homely’ subjects, as arts and home science, so
that they can learn only household jobs. Even
when a girl shows her talent in any other field,
like military, engineering or medicine, there are
many people to tell her not to go for it. Most of
the small private schools are notorious for not
paying equal salaries to women teachers.
Place of Work
Since ages, women have worked outdoors. They
have worked shoulder to shoulder with men in
Unpacking Gender
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