CBSE Class 6 Social Science Political Science Revision Notes Chapter 2

CBSE Class 6 Social and Political Life Chapter 2 Notes – Diversity and Discrimination

The discrimination and diversity prevalent in society are covered in Class 6 Social and Political Life Chapter 2 Notes. This chapter highlights the criticism faced by people for belonging to certain groups and not being accepted in the community for this reason. Students will be able to explore the connection between these unjust activities and the overall impact it has on our society in the chapter “Diversity and Discrimination.”

Students can refer to Extramarks Chapter 2 Social and Political Life Class 6 Notes for an in-depth understanding of these concepts and, thereby, score good grades  in the examination. Extramarks’ revision notes are easily accessible from the website. These notes are written by subject matter experts and adhere to the revised CBSE  guidelines and syllabus. 

Diversity and Discrimination Class 6 Notes Social and Political Life Chapter 2

Access Class 6 Social and Political LifeChapter 2 – Diversity and Discrimination Notes

“My language, My Culture is the Best”

In this chapter, students will learn the significance of diversity in bringing about changes in the country. People sometimes do not understand and accept differences respectfully, leading to stereotyping and discrimination. This chapter will educate the students about how differences can cause discrimination, inequalities, and stereotyping. 

India is a small and thriving part of the world in terms of Geography and demography. India has 22 official languages that are used by its citizens to speak. Over 121 major languages are spoken by the citizens of India, some of them  are not recognised officially. As India is a diverse country, there are more than 1600 languages in India. Most of the people are natives of these languages and utilise them for conversations even today. Each part of the country has different customs. Therefore, the customs experienced in a certain part of the country can be entirely different from the ones  in other parts. All eight of the major religions of the world are practised in India.

Sometimes people feel threatened by this diversity. People with common interests usually spend time together, and other customs or traditions make them feel uncomfortable. This is one of the main reasons why people of one custom cannot build a harmonious relationship with the people of another custom. Therefore, it creates differences  between such people. 

At times, people can form adverse opinions in regard to various cultures, distinct religions,  languages, customs, and everything they are unfamiliar with. These opinions are vindictive, mainly baseless, and pre-established. Prejudice is the pre-established vindictive opinions that people have formed of something. This prejudice arises from the conception that one individual’s culture, language, and religion are superior in comparison to others.  

This prejudice can lead to consequential feuds among different communities, language speakers, and cultures. They also obstruct the establishment of cordial relationships based on trust and friendship between communities.

Stereotypes: The First Step Towards Forming Prejudice

As previously discussed, prejudices originate from the pre-established notions that people have regarding a certain religion, culture, or different language speakers. Once people presume notions of a certain group, they tend to consider each person belonging to that group to be similar to that notion. This is known as a stereotype. For instance, there are stereotypes that boys and girls should behave in a certain way as per society. 

There is a popular assumption that “Boys don’t feel pain.” Boys are told not to cry from a very early age as they are boys. Due to such stereotypes, a burden is put on the shoulders of these boys, and if they do not comply with the expectations set by society, they are likely to be ridiculed. Boys are affected from a psychological point of view. On the other hand, girls are supposed to be soft-spoken in an Indian society. Naughty girls are frequently yelled at by their parents for not behaving like a stereotypical girl. Even today, many people think that women are responsible for cooking, and girls are taught to cook from a young age. 

These stereotypes also put a restriction on the lives of thousands of Indian girls. As mentioned above, certain behaviour is expected from boys and girls. Stereotypes are nearly  baseless most of the time, as discussed in Class 6 Social and Political Life Notes Chapter 2. 

Stereotype and Prejudice Breed Inequality and Discrimination:

When somebody takes any action based on the predetermined notions mentioned above, it harms the person who is prone to prejudice. For instance, as discussed earlier, in several families, girls are expected to get married when they grow up and carry out household duties. In the professional sphere, these prejudices affect their dream of advancing in their careers. Millions of men have grown up with the mentality that boys don’t cry, which is a stereotype created by a society that has led to men training themselves not to express care or sympathy. In short, it is impacting the strength of a nation as a whole.

These stereotypes are giving rise to a population in which men don’t show emotions and women take up only the household responsibility. When people hold prejudices against the people of a certain caste, the people of that caste might not be permitted to use the services that others use or can be treated as untouchables. There are numerous instances when Dalits are denied access to public facilities even now. Differences in language and customs sometimes lead to prejudice and discrimination. For example, people who are not fluent in English are often ridiculed.

Diversity in Financial Status:

Chapter 2 Social and Political LifeClass 6 Notes depicts how differences in economic status makes the situation worse. People come from diverse economic backgrounds in India. Mostly, a student who gets to study in a premium institute will get many more opportunities in the professional world in comparison to a student from a government school. People with higher incomes can afford premium medical care and do not have to wait for being admitted, while people with lower income have to wait for basic medical attention. Due to this situation in India, more poor people tend to pass away because of illness than the rich and privileged ones.

Discrimination Based on Work and Caste in India:

People of distinct religions work together and live in the same society in India. Diversity can be witnessed in jobs, workplaces, and schools. Within each sector, people also work in distinct kinds of jobs. For instance, some work in offices, some are cobblers, some are programmers, some are salespeople, some are drivers, etc. They address individuals from distinct occupations differently and show varying amounts of respect. There are several instances when we hear people addressing a vegetable seller as ‘tu’ rather than ‘aap’. We often witness how respect is attached to the type of work an individual does. This is one of the forms of discrimination. 

During ancient times, certain works were assigned to people according to their castes. For example, Shudras were not permitted to do the works of the people who were Brahmans. Brahmans belonged to the upper caste of society, and therefore, they were the only ones who were accepted as priests. Dr B.R Ambedkar shared  his experience of not being offered a ride by the bullock cart owners for the reason he was a Dalit. The bullock cart drivers held an opinion that they would be ‘polluted’ if they let a person of Dalit caste sit in their bullock cart. 

The Fight for Equality:

The British rule in India made people fight for independence as well as to rid all the stereotypes, beliefs, and discriminations built by the British. This was the time when the Constitution was being built. In India, it was unambiguously noted down in the Constitution that all of the people will be respected irrespective of their caste, religion, creed, culture, language, and custom. The diversity of India is accepted and considered by the Constitution. Even so, the citizens of India face inequality even to this date. But people still continue fighting for their rights and striving for equality. 

Important Questions and Answers:

1. Should we blame diversity for inequality?

Ans: Stereotypes and inequality are the main causes of diversity. Even  in countries where there is no apparent diversity as in language, culture, or religion, there is inequality on another basis, for example, different economic statuses. Therefore, there is a possibility that any place in the world can face inequality due to such variation.

2. What does  stereotype mean?

Ans: People often determine a one’s character or behaviour on the view held of the caste, community, or religion he/she belongs to. This view leaves out that individual’s uniqueness. This predetermined belief in regard to a person based on the aspects of his community or language is called a stereotype.

Class 6 Civics Chapter 2 Notes – Difference and Prejudice

Various elements like the languages we speak, our lifestyle, how we dress, what we consume, the games we play, and the occasions we celebrate are all influenced both by where we live and the history of that particular place.

When we begin categorising and comparing people, we identify differences between them. Prejudice signifies judging people negatively or considering them to be inferior. Several things like skin colour, religious beliefs, the country they belong to, the way they dress, their accents, etc., are the reasons for bias for many people.

Creating Stereotypes

A presumption of a character or group of characters is called a “stereotype.” We practise discrimination by attributing qualities to a person on the basis of a convention without comprehending the entire details. By stereotyping people, we tend to reduce a human to an unyielding image and do not acknowledge the fact that human beings are complex and multidimensional with distinct qualities. Stereotypes suggest that individuals or groups of people are similar, although they are quite distinct in nature.

Inequality and Discrimination

When people take action on their prejudices or stereotypes formed, then it leads to discrimination. Sometimes, the diversity that arises from different religious beliefs in a country also leads to discrimination. A few people’s practices and customs tend to be seen as inferior, especially those who may converse in a certain language, follow a specific religion, and reside in certain regions or so may be exploited. This happens due to lack of awareness and understanding of different perspectives, which is crucial in a diverse culture and system.  

Moreover, differences in the economic backgrounds of people in a country reflects inequality. Therefore, people who are poverty-stricken or whose cultures are not well identified are often discriminated against.

Aiming for Equality

The Indian masses fought for their equality in opportunities and independence from  British rule. Several people, like Dalits, women, tribals, and peasants, opposed the discrimination they had experienced during the British rule.

After India gained its independence in 1947, the leaders aspired to relieve India and its people from the different kinds of inequalities that prevailed. Dr Ambedkar was one of the most well-known freedom fighters who had stood for the Dalits and their rights. Therefore, these leaders laid out a vision and a goal and drafted the Indian Constitution to define the roles and power of  its people to ensure that all are treated equally.

The Constitution assigned authorities to the government to take specific steps to maintain the rights of smaller communities. They considered that respect for diversity was a necessary element in providing equality. They also declared that the government should ensure that all religions are treated equally. 

India consists of people belonging to different religions and faiths. They are free to practise their religion without any fright or bias. Therefore, India is considered to be a secular country. Nonetheless, although these ideals are dignified in our Constitution, even today inequalities prevail.