Get notes, summary, questions and answers, MCQs, extras, and PDFs of Chapter 7 “Social Factors Affecting Development” which is part of NBSE Class 11 Environment Education. However, the notes should only be treated as references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
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Summary
Chapter 7 discusses the social factors that influence development in a country. Development is described as a gradual and continuous process that makes a society or nation more advanced and stronger. Economic growth, indicated by factors like modern farming, industrial development, well-developed infrastructure, and efficient health services, is one way to measure development. Countries like the USA, UK, and Japan are examples of developed nations, whereas countries like India, China, and Brazil are still developing.
Several social factors impact development, including poverty, affluence, education, employment, child marriage, child labour, and human health. Poverty is highlighted as a major obstacle to development. It traps people in a cycle that prevents them from contributing to economic growth, leading to urban slums when rural poor migrate to cities in search of work. This migration creates further issues, such as inadequate housing and sanitation.
Affluence, on the other hand, is both a cause and a product of development. Affluent societies, like the USA, have the resources needed for economic growth, which in turn increases their wealth. However, the chapter also notes that affluent societies tend to contribute more to environmental degradation.
Education is considered the foundation of development. A society cannot progress without a strong educational system. Employment, both self-employment and wage employment, is also essential. It provides financial gains that contribute to personal and social development. However, unemployment remains a significant issue, especially in developing regions like Nagaland.
Child marriage and child labour are indicators of a society’s poverty and backwardness. These practices disrupt education and contribute to population growth, which hinders development. Human health, including physical, mental, and social well-being, is crucial for development. Without it, a society cannot progress effectively. Finally, the chapter touches on how social, cultural, and ethical values influence development, noting that negative values like caste and communal conflicts can hinder progress.
Textbook solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. A developed country has
A. developed farms
B. developed industries
C. developed commerce and services
D. All of these
Answer: D. All of these
2. Which of the following is a developed country?
A. India
B. Japan
C. Brazil
D. Mozambique
Answer: B. Japan
3. Major reason for rural poverty in Nagaland is
A. Inadequate development
B. Poor infrastructure
C. Tribal people
D. Both (a) and (b)
Answer: D. Both (a) and (b)
4. Which nations constitute ‘BRICS’?
A. Brazil, Romania, India, China and South America
B. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa
C. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Sudan
D. Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, China and South Africa
Answer: B. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa
5. Which state has the largest number of working children, in India?
A. Rajasthan
B. Punjab
C. Bihar
D. Uttar Pradesh
Answer: D. Uttar Pradesh
Short Answer Questions
1. What do you understand by development?
Answer: Development is a gradual, continuous, and dynamic process by which a society or nation grows and becomes more advanced and strong. It involves the development of farming, industries, commerce, and services, leading to a higher standard of living and wealth. Development also includes various factors such as education, health, infrastructure, and political stability that contribute to the overall growth of a society or nation.
2. What are the three facets of poverty?
Answer: The three facets of poverty are personal poverty, national poverty, and mental poverty.
3. Give the full form of the following acronyms: BRICS, MNCs, IITs, IIMS, OBCs, BPL
Answer:
- BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa
- MNCs: Multinational Corporations
- IITs: Indian Institutes of Technology
- IIMs: Indian Institutes of Management
- OBCs: Other Backward Classes
- BPL: Below Poverty Line
4. What are the minimum marriageable ages for girls and boys respectively in India now?
Answer: The minimum marriageable ages for girls and boys respectively in India now are 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys.
5. Give the full form of AIDS and HIV.
Answer:
- AIDS: Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome
- HIV: Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus
6. When was the Child Labour (Abolition and Regulation) Act enacted?
Answer: The Child Labour (Abolition and Regulation) Act was enacted in 1986.
7. Does health form a part of development?
Answer: Yes, health forms a part of development.
8. What is the definition of ‘Health’ as given by ‘WHO’?
Answer: The definition of ‘Health’ as given by WHO is “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity.”
Long Answer Questions
1. Describe the factors for development.
Answer: Any country’s development depends on several factors such as:
- Self-sufficiency in case of food production.
- Industries producing a wide variety of goods and services.
- Well-developed and sophisticated infrastructure facilities.
- Availability of capital and capital goods.
- Healthy and educated population.
- Scientific and industrial advancement.
- Political stability.
Lack of any or all of the above-mentioned economic and social factors impedes the development process in a country.
2. What were the findings of ILO survey of 1990 on child labour?
Answer: A survey by ILO in 1990 found that many children under the age of 15 were obliged to work. According to the latest estimation, the number of children working as labourers has gone up to 100 million. In some cases, children as young as 5 years have been reported to be in paid employment. Africa and Asia dominate the list on child labour. These two regions account for 70 per cent of the countries and 94 per cent of the working children in a survey of more than 100 countries in 1992. In Asia, 15 per cent of the children aged 10-14 years were working and in Africa 22 per cent.
3. How does poverty influence development?
Answer: Poverty is one of the major social constraints in achieving development or economic growth. It wields its destructive influence on the development of a person and society. Poverty is of different types – personal poverty, national poverty and mental poverty. Any one of these or a combination of these will always block the road to prosperity. Poor people can hardly contribute towards economic development because they lack resources for development. Economic growth requires resources at the disposal of people. The poor from urban areas are migrating to industrial and commercial cities in search of jobs and employment. Cities are ill-equipped to absorb ever-increasing migration of poor people from rural areas in terms of housing, sanitation, transport and other infrastructural facilities. These migrant people create slums in the cities. Thus, rural poverty changes into urban poverty. This vicious circle of poverty is the major stumbling block to economic growth of a society. On the other hand, the government has to spend a substantial amount of national resources to secure economic growth and welfare of these poor people. Poor people have to depend on environmental resources for their survival. For instance, they cut trees to meet their fuel requirement. Poor and illiterate people are also a cause of population growth. In short, poverty is a burden on the national economy, hindering the economic development of a country.
4. What was the scenario regarding employment in India according to the Economic Survey of 2004-05?
Answer: According to the Economic Survey, 2004-05, the overall growth rate of employment in India declined largely, which is attributable to a near stagnation of employment in agriculture. On the other hand, employment growth in all subsectors within services like travel and tourism, entertainment, retailing, infrastructure, design, engineering, horticulture, biotechnology, adventure, etc., is growing. In a nutshell, India is evolving directly from an agricultural economy to a service economy. Opening of new sectors of employment is a good sign, marking the dawn of a new era of development in India.
5. What are the basic requirements of self-employment?
Answer: Self-employment is also a major sector that contributes to the development of a society. In fact, it is an indicator of vibrant economic growth leading to the development of the society. To be effective as a growth base, the self-employment sector requires education, training, retraining, credit and market facilities. Without easy availability of these facilities, no society can envision social development.
6. What impact does child marriage have on development?
Answer: Impact of child marriage on the development of a society are:
(i) Immature couples are not fully prepared to discharge their parental duties towards their children.
(ii) Early marriage disrupts their education, especially of the girls.
(iii) The contribution of early married couples to increase in the population proves one of the most serious aspects in the development of the society.
7. “Poverty affects development.” Elaborate the statement with examples.
Answer: Poverty is one of the major social constraints in achieving development or economic growth. It wields its destructive influence on the development of a person and society. Poverty is of different types – personal poverty, national poverty and mental poverty. Any one of these or a combination of these will always block the road to prosperity. Poor people can hardly contribute towards economic development because they lack resources for development. Economic growth requires resources at the disposal of people. The poor from urban areas are migrating to industrial and commercial cities in search of jobs and employment. Cities are ill-equipped to absorb ever-increasing migration of poor people from rural areas in terms of housing, sanitation, transport and other infrastructural facilities. These migrant people create slums in the cities. Thus, rural poverty changes into urban poverty. This vicious circle of poverty is the major stumbling block to economic growth of a society. On the other hand, the government has to spend a substantial amount of national resources to secure economic growth and welfare of these poor people. Poor people have to depend on environmental resources for their survival. For instance, they cut trees to meet their fuel requirement. Poor and illiterate people are also a cause of population growth. In short, poverty is a burden on the national economy, hindering the economic development of a country.
8. Explain how education can be used as a tool for development?
Answer: Education is the basic force behind any development. No society can develop without a strong educational system. The contribution of education in the developmental process in a society does not need to be emphasised. Experience in the contemporary world reveals that it is not development which yields education; it is education that yields development. Education includes both liberal education and technical education including business and computer education. India has emerged as the world leader in computer software while China has made remarkable progress in hardware computer business. In India the IITs, IIMs, etc., have earned a name in the world for excellence in technical and business education. Their students are increasingly being offered higher pay-packet jobs in India and abroad by leading business organisations and multinational corporations (MNCs). In other words, good educational opportunities open up broader vistas of self and societal development. No society has ever developed without first becoming educated.
9. What do you understand by a ‘divided society’?
Answer: A divided society refers to a society that is split into different groups based on various factors such as caste, community, creed, and religion. This division prevents the society from achieving unified development. Caste and communal conflicts in the society have adversely affected its development process. Scarce national resources have to be spent on tackling these issues rather than on developmental projects. For the last three decades, terrorism has brought untold misery to society. Boundary disputes, sharing of water resources between states have also diluted the development process. A society that cannot maintain harmony among its members fails in its efforts for development.
10. How can you in your sphere help to eradicate child labour?
Answer: In my sphere, I can help to eradicate child labour by spreading awareness about the harmful effects of child labour and the importance of education. Encouraging families to send their children to school instead of work and supporting community programs that provide financial assistance to poor families can also help reduce child labour. Additionally, supporting NGOs and government initiatives aimed at eliminating child labour can contribute to the cause. It is important to advocate for stricter enforcement of laws against child labour and to promote the benefits of education and skills development for children as a means to ensure their future well-being and that of society as a whole.
Think and Answer
1. City slums also reflect rural poverty. Explain how this happens.
Answer: City slums are a direct reflection of rural poverty due to the migration of people from rural to urban areas. This migration is driven by the lack of opportunities and resources in rural regions, where many people struggle with inadequate development, poor infrastructure, and limited employment options. When these rural inhabitants move to cities in search of better livelihoods, they often find that the urban environment is not equipped to handle the influx. The lack of affordable housing, sanitation, and other basic services in cities forces these migrants to settle in slums. Therefore, the poverty that originated in rural areas is transplanted to urban settings, manifesting in the form of slums. This situation creates a cycle where rural poverty contributes to urban poverty, perpetuating economic challenges in both settings.
2. What is the most effective method of abolition of child labour in the context of existing economic growth of the Indian society?
Answer: In the context of India’s existing economic growth, the most effective method to abolish child labour is through the universalisation of primary education. This approach targets the root causes of child labour, which are poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education. By ensuring that all children receive at least primary education, they are less likely to be forced into labour at a young age. Moreover, educating children equips them with the skills needed for better employment opportunities in the future, thus breaking the cycle of poverty. Simultaneously, enforcing existing laws, such as the Child Labour (Abolition and Regulation) Act of 1986, and improving social awareness about the harms of child labour, are also crucial. These measures, combined with the economic benefits of growth, can create a sustainable environment where child labour is significantly reduced.
Extras MCQs
1. Which of the following is considered a developed country?
A. India
B. Brazil
C. Mozambique
D. Japan
Answer: D. Japan
15. Which Indian state recorded the highest HIV prevalence rate in 2015?
A. Nagaland
B. Manipur
C. Mizoram
D. Gujarat
Answer: A. Nagaland
Extra Questions and Answers
1. What are some examples of developed countries?
Answer: The USA, the U.K., and Japan are some examples of developed countries.
22. What is the significance of social, cultural, and ethical values in development?
Answer: Social, cultural, and ethical values play a key role in the development process of a society or country. Inequality in social, economic, and cultural status can keep society divided, hindering unified approaches to tackling development issues. Social divisions based on caste, community, creed, and religion have historically kept Indian society from achieving all-round development. Moreover, negative values, such as greed and a lack of concern for societal well-being, contribute to the continuation of issues like child labour and the dowry system, which further impede development. Positive social, cultural, and ethical values are essential for achieving holistic development in society.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger. He manages Online Free Notes and reads Victorian literature. His favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and he hopes to travel the world. Get in touch with him by sending him a friend request.
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