Understand family structures and community roles in shaping Indian society, emphasizing the interconnectedness
of social relationships.

Chapter 9 Family and Community

Class 6 NCERT Social
Science Exploring Society India
and Beyond

New
Syllabus | Easy to remember solutions

Theme D: Governance and Democracy (शासन और लोकतंत्र)

Concept
Map: 

Chapter 9: Family and Community (परिवार और समुदाय)

Types of Families (परिवार के प्रकार)

Community Roles and Responsibilities (समुदाय की भूमिकाएँ और जिम्मेदारियाँ)

Values Reflected in Community Service (समुदाय सेवा में प्रकट मूल्यों)

The Big
Questions

Question No. 1: Why is the family unit important?
Answer: The family is the fundamental and most ancient unit of any
society. It provides a system of support, love, and cooperation among its
members. Family members share responsibilities and teach important values, such
as love, respect, and cooperation.

Question No. 2: What is a community, and what is its
role?
Answer: A community is a group of connected people who come together for
various reasons, such as celebrating festivals, supporting each other, and
organizing events. Communities often provide shared resources, support, and
uphold rules that benefit everyone. They also come together in times of crisis
to help each other, as seen in both rural and urban examples.

LET’S EXPLORE

Question No. 1: What types of families do you see in
your neighbourhood? List the type with the number of households for each type.
Answer: In my neighborhood, I see both joint families and nuclear
families. There are about 10 nuclear families where only the parents and
children live together. I have observed 3 joint families where multiple
generations live under one roof, including grandparents, parents, and children.

Question No. 2: What types are more frequent? Why do
you think this is so?
Answer: Nuclear families are more frequent in my neighborhood. This
might be because of the need for privacy and independence, or because people
have jobs in different cities, which makes it easier for smaller family units
to move around. Also, the rise of urban living and space constraints may be a
factor.

Question No. 3: Who in your family decides what is to
be bought from the market?
Answer: In my family, my parents decide what is to be bought from the
market after discussing our needs together.

Question No. 4: Who cooks food in your home?
Answer: My mother usually cooks food, but sometimes my father helps out,
especially on weekends.

Question No. 5: Who is the oldest person in your
family?
Answer: The oldest person in my family is my grandmother.

Question No. 6: Who cleans the floor in your home?
Answer: We have a house help who cleans the floor, but we all take turns
cleaning our rooms.

Question No. 7: Who washes utensils in your house?
Answer: We usually have a house help for that, but if she is
unavailable, we take turns to wash the utensils.

Question No. 8: Who helps you to do your homework?
Answer: My parents, especially my mother, help me with my homework when
I need assistance.

LET’S EXPLORE
(continued)

Question No. 1: Why do you think Shalini’s parents
bought clothes for everyone?
Answer: Shalini’s parents bought clothes for everyone because they
believed in supporting their family members during tough times, following the
principle of sharing and helping.

Question No. 2: What would you have done if you were
in Shalini’s place?
Answer: If I were in Shalini’s place, I would also have been happy with
a simpler dress, knowing that my family was able to support others. I would
feel proud that my family values sharing and caring for each other.

THINK ABOUT IT

Question No. 1: Why does Tenzing’s father consult his
wife for special expenses?
Answer: Tenzing’s father consults his wife because in their family,
decisions about money are made jointly to ensure everyone’s needs are
considered.

Question No. 2: How do you feel about his
participation in household chores?
Answer: I think it is wonderful that Tenzing’s father shares in the
household chores. It sets a great example of equality and cooperation in the
family. In today’s world, household responsibilities should not be restricted
by gender, and everyone should contribute.

Question No. 3: What roles do the grandparents fulfil?
Answer: Tenzing’s grandparents help with household chores, offer
guidance and wisdom, assist with homework, and are involved in community
service.

LET’S EXPLORE
(continued)

Question No. 1: What values get reflected in Kamal
Parmar’s initiative?
Answer: Kamal Parmar’s actions reflect compassion, selflessness, and
dedication to providing education and care for underprivileged children.

Question No. 2: Do you think society has been unfair
to underprivileged children?
Answer: Yes, I do think society has been unfair to underprivileged
children. Many of them do not have access to quality education, proper
nutrition, or even a safe environment to grow up in. It is society’s
responsibility to create more opportunities and provide the necessary resources
to help these children thrive.

Question No. 3: What should society do to make sure
that all children get access to education?
Answer: Society should ensure that systems are in place to provide equal
educational opportunities to all children, regardless of their background.

LET’S EXPLORE
(continued)

Question No. 1: What types of communities are you part
of?
Answer: I am part of several communities. My family is my first
community. At school, I belong to my class community, and I am also part of the
sports club and drama group. Additionally, I am part of my neighborhood
community where we come together during festivals and local events.

Question No. 2: Is there a club that you are a part of
in school? How does it function?
Answer: Yes, I am part of the science club in school. We meet once a
week to discuss scientific topics, conduct experiments, and prepare for science
fairs. The club is led by our science teacher, and we often work together in
teams to brainstorm ideas and solve problems.

Questions,
activities, and projects

Question No. 1: What are some of the rules you follow
in your family and neighbourhood? Why are they important?
Answer: In my family, we follow rules like eating dinner together,
keeping our rooms tidy, and helping each other with household tasks. In the
neighborhood, we follow rules such as not playing loud music after 10 PM and
keeping the area clean. These rules are important because they maintain order,
foster respect for each other, and help us live harmoniously.

Question No. 2: Do you think some rules are unfair to
a few people in the family or community? Why?
Answer: Yes, sometimes I think certain rules can be unfair. For example,
in some families, the expectation that only women should do household chores
can be unfair. Everyone in the family should share responsibilities equally,
regardless of gender. Similarly, in the community, rules that exclude certain
groups or are biased toward specific groups can be unfair.

Question No. 3: Describe several situations that you
have observed where community support makes a difference. You can draw or write
about these.
Answer: One situation where community support made a big difference was
during a local festival. Our entire neighborhood came together to organize the
event, including decorations, food, and performances. Another example was
during a recent heavy rainfall, where many houses were flooded. Neighbors
helped each other by offering temporary shelter, food, and even helping with
cleaning up after the water receded.