Growing Up as Boys and Girls — AP Class 7 Civics
1. About the Chapter
'Are boys and girls RAISED differently? Do we EXPECT different things from them?' This chapter explores how society shapes what it means to be a 'boy' or a 'girl' — and how these ideas affect equality.
Key Themes
- Gender roles and socialisation
- How children learn gender
- Valuing housework
- Women's work and inequality
- AP: Female literacy, gender gaps
2. Gender and Sex — The Difference
Key Definitions
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sex | BIOLOGICAL difference — male/female | Born with male or female body |
| Gender | SOCIAL expectations of being a man/woman | 'Boys don't cry'. 'Girls are gentle.' |
Biological sex is NATURAL. Gender roles are SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED — they are MADE by society, not born.
Gender Socialisation
'Gender socialisation is the PROCESS by which children LEARN what their society expects of them — as BOYS or as GIRLS.'
| How It Happens | Example |
|---|---|
| Family | Boys get TRUCKS. Girls get DOLLS. |
| School | Boys are told 'BE TOUGH'. Girls are told 'BE NEAT'. |
| Media | TV shows men as HEROES, women as FAIR MAIDENS |
| Religion/Tradition | Different ROLES for men and women in rituals |
| Peer pressure | Boys MOCKED for playing with dolls. Girls mocked for being 'tomboys'. |
3. How Children Are Socialised Differently
At Home
| Area | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| Toys | Cars, action figures, sports | Dolls, kitchen sets, makeup |
| Chores | Outside work (fetching, errands) | HOUSEHOLD work (cooking, cleaning) |
| Play | Outdoor, rough games | Indoor, 'gentle' games |
| Freedom | MORE freedom — can go out | LESS freedom — must be 'safe' |
| Education | Encouraged MORE | Often LESS prioritised |
At School
| Aspect | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| Textbooks | Men shown as DOCTORS, ENGINEERS | Women shown as NURSES, TEACHERS |
| Teachers | EXPECT boys to be naughty | Expected to be QUIET and OBEDIENT |
| Subjects | Boys pushed towards Maths, Science | Girls towards Languages, Arts |
| Stereotypes | 'Boys are BETTER at maths' | 'Girls are BETTER at language' |
4. Valuing Housework
The Invisible Work
'Housework is WORK — but it is INVISIBLE work. It is NOT counted in the economy. It is NOT paid. It is NOT valued.'
| Type of housework | Who DOES it (mostly) |
|---|---|
| Cooking | Women |
| Cleaning | Women |
| Washing clothes | Women |
| Childcare | Women |
| Elder care | Women |
| Fetching water (rural) | Women and GIRLS |
Time Spent on Housework
- Women spend 5–6 hours DAILY on housework
- Men spend LESS THAN 1 hour
- 'Girls spend 3x MORE time on housework than boys of the SAME age'
Why This Matters
| Problem | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Housework is UNPAID | Women's economic contribution is NOT recognised |
| Girls do MORE housework | They have LESS time for studying |
| Housework is not 'real work' | Women's labour is devalued |
| Men do NOT share housework | Women are OVERWORKED |
The Double Burden
'Women who ALSO earn money (paid work) come home to a SECOND SHIFT of housework. This is called the DOUBLE BURDEN.'
AP Context
In rural AP, women and girls spend SIGNIFICANT time:
- Fetching water (especially in Rayalaseema — dry areas)
- Collecting firewood
- Cooking on traditional chulhas (time-consuming)
- Taking care of cattle
'In many AP villages, a girl's school attendance DROPS when she reaches 12–13 — because she is NEEDED at home for housework.'
5. Women's Work and Equality
Women in the Workforce
| Statistic | India | AP |
|---|---|---|
| Female labour participation | ~25% | ~35% |
| Male labour participation | ~75% | ~60% |
| Gender wage gap | Women earn 30–40% LESS | Similar |
| Women in agriculture | 50%+ of agricultural workers | HIGH |
Why Women Work Less in Paid Jobs
| Reason | Impact |
|---|---|
| Housework responsibility | No TIME for paid work |
| Lack of education | Fewer JOB opportunities |
| Safety concerns | Parents don't want daughters TRAVELLING far |
| Social norms | 'A woman's place is in the HOME' |
| Maternity/pregnancy | Women take career BREAKS |
The Gap in Education
| Indicator | India | AP |
|---|---|---|
| Male literacy | 82% | 74.88% |
| Female literacy | 65% | 59.74% |
| Gap | 17% | 15% |
'The literacy GAP is narrowing — but it is NOT closed yet.'
6. Challenging Gender Stereotypes
Steps Towards Change
| Area | Change Needed |
|---|---|
| Family | Share housework EQUALLY between boys and girls |
| School | Equal EXPECTATIONS for all subjects |
| Media | Show women in DIVERSE roles — not just housework |
| Government | Policies that SUPPORT working women (creche, maternity leave) |
| Law | Equal PROPERTY rights, equal PAY |
Inspiring Examples
| Name | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Kalpana Chawla | Indian-American astronaut (first Indian woman in space) |
| P.V. Sindhu | Olympic silver medalist (badminton) |
| Mithali Raj | Captain of Indian women's cricket team |
| Durgabai Deshmukh | AP-born social reformer — fought for women's rights |
AP: Durgabai Deshmukh (1909–1981)
'Durgabai Deshmukh was a FREEDOM FIGHTER and SOCIAL REFORMER from AP.'
- Born in Rajahmundry
- Fought for WOMEN'S EDUCATION
- Established ANDHRA MAHILA SABHA (women's organisation)
- Instrumental in the formation of the SOCIAL WELFARE BOARD
- 'She proved that a WOMAN from a small town can CHANGE the nation'
7. Comparison Table: Gender Socialisation
| Institution | What Boys Learn | What Girls Learn |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Be STRONG, provide, earn | Be CARING, cook, clean |
| School | Science, maths, leadership | Languages, arts, obedience |
| Media | Action heroes | Beauty standards |
| Work | Important, career-focused | Secondary earners |
| Society | INDEPENDENT, bold | DEPENDENT, modest |
8. Common Mistakes
- Confusing sex with gender — Sex is BIOLOGICAL. Gender is SOCIAL.
- Thinking gender roles are 'natural' — They are SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED — they vary across cultures and change over time.
- Believing housework is 'not real work' — It IS real work — demanding physical and mental effort.
- Forgetting that gender inequality AFFECTS boys too — Boys are pressured to be 'tough' and not show emotions.
- Thinking change is impossible — Gender roles HAVE changed significantly — more women work, more men share housework.
9. Exam Focus
2 Marks
Q: What is the difference between sex and gender? A: Sex is the biological difference (male/female). Gender is the SOCIAL expectations of being a man or woman.
Q: What is the 'double burden'? A: When women who do PAID work also do MOST of the housework — they work TWO shifts.
4 Marks
Q: Explain how children are socialised differently based on gender. A: Children learn gender roles from family (boys get trucks, girls get dolls), school (different expectations), media (different role models), and peers. Boys are taught to be TOUGH and INDEPENDENT. Girls are taught to be CARING and OBEDIENT. These messages shape their ENTIRE lives — from career choices to household responsibilities.
6 Marks
Q: Discuss the issue of housework and gender inequality. Why is housework not valued in society? A: Housework is essential — cooking, cleaning, childcare — but it is UNPAID and INVISIBLE. It is mostly done by women. Because it is not PAID, it is not valued in the economy. The 'double burden' means women who work outside ALSO do housework. In AP, girls often drop out of school to help with housework. This perpetuates the cycle — less education → lower-paid jobs → economic dependence. 'Housework is the FOUNDATION of the economy — but the people who do it are OFTEN the most marginalised.'
10. Quick Self-Test
-
What is gender socialisation? Answer: The process by which children learn what society expects of them as boys or girls.
-
How much more housework do girls do compared to boys? Answer: 3x MORE time on housework than boys of the same age.
-
What is the female literacy rate in AP? Answer: Approximately 59.74%
-
Who was Durgabai Deshmukh? Answer: A freedom fighter and social reformer from AP who fought for women's rights and education.
-
What is the double burden? Answer: Paid work + unpaid housework — women do BOTH.
-
Why do girls drop out of school in rural AP? Answer: They are needed at home for housework, water fetching, and childcare.
-
Name one stereotype about boys in school. Answer: 'Boys are better at maths' / 'Boys don't cry'
-
What change is needed for gender equality? Answer: Equal sharing of housework / equal educational expectations / better policies for working women
11. Conclusion
'Growing up as a BOY or a GIRL is NOT the same — because society makes it DIFFERENT.' Gender socialisation begins at BIRTH and continues throughout life. It affects what we STUDY, what JOBS we take, how much we EARN, and who does the housework. But these roles are NOT fixed — they CAN change. 'The FIRST step to change is AWARENESS. The NEXT step is ACTION — starting at HOME.'
Key takeaways:
- Sex = biological. Gender = social.
- Gender socialisation happens through family, school, media
- Housework is REAL work — but UNPAID and UNDERVALUED
- The double burden affects millions of women
- AP: Female literacy has improved but STILL lags
- Gender equality begins with CHANGING attitudes
