The Demographic Structure of the Indian Society — Sociology STD 12 Humanities — Question

Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:
Population growth always outstrips growth in production of subsistence resources; hence the only way to increase prosperity is by controlling the growth of population. Unfortunately, humanity has only a limited ability to voluntarily reduce the growth of its population (through ‘preventive checks’ such as postponing marriage or practicing sexual abstinence or celibacy). Malthus believed therefore that ‘positive checks’ to population growth- in the form of famines and diseases- were inevitable because they were nature’s way of dealing with the imbalance between food supply and increasing population. Malthus was also criticized by liberal and Marxist scholars for asserting that poverty was caused by population growth. Critics argued that problems like poverty and starvation were caused by the unequal distribution of economic resources rather than by population growth.

1. What were the preventive and positive checks suggested by Malthus for controlling growth of population?
2. Malthus was criticized by the liberal and Marxist scholars. Explain.

Analyse the successes and failures of the family planning program.

What are the factors behind the assertion of tribal identities today?

Read the passage and answer the following questions:
Hospital deliveries on the rise, maternal deaths dip
New Delhi: Institutional deliveries, where children are delivered at health centres or hospitals, have picked up in India over the last five-odd years. Around 60 lakh more infants were born in safe confines of health care centres in 2010-11 as compared to 2005-06.
Experts say one main reason for this spurt is the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), which was launched in April 2005, to reduce India’s shamefully high maternal and infant mortality rates. The JSY promoted institutional delivery among would-be mothers by providing cash assistance.
Emboldened, the Ministry has launched the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) this year. The initiative entitles all would-be mothers free delivery, free drugs and free diagnostics.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi, October 18, 2011

1. What are the entitlements given under the JSSK?
2. What were the possible reasons behind an improvement in low maternal and infant mortality rates during 2005-2011? What was the outcome?

Write a note on tribal identities in India today with special reference to Jharkhand.

How colonial rule facilitated Indian consciousness to emerge? Discuss.

What is meant by the 'sex ratio'? What are some of the implications of adeclining sex ratio? Do you feel that parents still prefer to have sons ratherthan daughters? What, in your opinion, could be some of the reasons forthis preference?

Explain the common features of the caste system as it existed in the past.

What are the factors behind the assertion of tribal identities today?

What are some of the features of social stratification? Explain.