About this previous year paper
SECTION A – Short Answers (2 Marks Each)
(a) Reproduction as the cause of women’s oppression
Women’s oppression has often been linked to their reproductive role, as control over reproduction places restrictions on women’s mobility, labour participation, and autonomy, reinforcing dependency and inequality.
(b) Socialization of domestic labour
Socialization of domestic labour refers to the process by which household work such as cooking, cleaning, and caregiving is culturally assigned to women and considered their natural responsibility.
(c) Gender division of labour
Gender division of labour means allocation of different types of work to men and women based on socially constructed gender roles rather than ability or choice.
(d) Eco-feminism
Eco-feminism links the exploitation of nature with the oppression of women, arguing that both arise from patriarchal and capitalist systems of domination.
(e) Gender socialization
Gender socialization is the process through which individuals learn gender roles, behaviors, and expectations from family, school, media, and society.
(f) Difference between sex and gender
Sex refers to biological differences between males and females, while gender refers to socially constructed roles, identities, and expectations.
(g) Patriarchy
Patriarchy is a social system where men hold power and authority in political, economic, and family structures, leading to women’s subordination.
(h) “Personal is Political”
This feminist slogan means that personal experiences such as domestic work, violence, and reproduction are shaped by political and social structures, not just individual choices.
(i) Gender as a social construction
Gender is socially constructed because roles, behaviors, and expectations for men and women are created by society and vary across cultures and time.
(j) Public–private dichotomy
The public–private dichotomy divides social life into public spaces (work, politics) dominated by men and private spaces (home, family) assigned to women.
SECTION B – Long Answers (10 Marks Each)
(Attempt any three in exam; answers provided for all)
(a) Patriarchy, masculinity, and negotiation of gender roles
Patriarchy promotes ideals of masculinity such as dominance, strength, and authority, while femininity is associated with care and obedience. Men and women negotiate these roles differently depending on class, caste, and culture. While men are expected to conform to masculine norms, women often challenge or adapt femininity through education, employment, and activism, reshaping gender relations.
(b) Marxist feminism and its critique
Marxist feminism explains women’s oppression through capitalism and class relations, emphasizing unpaid domestic labour and economic dependence. Critics argue that it overlooks patriarchy independent of class and ignores cultural, sexual, and emotional dimensions of women’s oppression.
(c) Dalit feminist critique of Dalit patriarchy
Dalit feminism critiques both upper-caste feminism for ignoring caste and Dalit patriarchy for oppressing Dalit women. Dalit women face triple oppression based on caste, class, and gender. Examples include discrimination within Dalit movements and exploitation in labour and domestic spaces.
(d) Socialist feminism vs radical feminism
Socialist feminism combines class and gender analysis, arguing that capitalism and patriarchy together oppress women. Radical feminism focuses on patriarchy as the root cause of oppression, emphasizing control over women’s bodies and sexuality. Both influenced Western women’s movements differently.
(e) Evolution of women’s movement in India
The Indian women’s movement evolved through social reform in the 19th century, nationalist participation in the early 20th century, and post-independence struggles focusing on legal rights, violence, employment, and political representation.
SECTION C – Long Answers (10 Marks Each)
3(a) Women’s contemporary issues in social institutions
Women face issues such as gender discrimination in family, unequal access to education, workplace harassment, wage gaps, and political under-representation. Social institutions often reinforce patriarchal norms, limiting women’s autonomy despite legal equality.
3(b) Sex and gender within the sex-gender system
Sex refers to biological traits, while gender reflects social expectations. For example, caring work is socially assigned to women, not biologically determined, showing how gender roles are constructed within society.
4(a) Functions of mass media in context of gender
Mass media informs, educates, entertains, and shapes opinions. In gender context, media often reinforces stereotypes but also plays a role in spreading awareness about women’s rights and gender equality.
4(b) Sexual harassment of women at workplace
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome physical contact, verbal remarks, and hostile work environment. It violates dignity and equality, leading to laws like the POSH Act in India.
5(a) Role of women in advertisements in India
Advertisements often portray women as caregivers or objects of beauty, reinforcing stereotypes. However, some modern ads challenge traditional roles by showing women as independent and empowered.
5(b) Feminism and its waves
Feminism is a movement for gender equality. The first wave focused on legal rights, the second on social and sexual equality, and the third on diversity, identity, and intersectionality.
6(a) Public and private spaces for women
Women’s access to public spaces is often restricted by safety concerns, norms, and traditions. Private spaces may also be sites of control and violence, showing how power operates in both domains.
6(b) Is patriarchy same everywhere?
Patriarchy varies across cultures, classes, and regions. For example, tribal societies may have different gender relations compared to urban patriarchal families.
7(a) Impact of new media on gender
New media provides platforms for expression and activism but also exposes women to cyber harassment. It both empowers and challenges gender equality.
7(b) Representation of women in print media
Women in print media are often stereotyped, though progressive magazines and digital platforms now highlight women’s achievements and rights.