Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Patriarchy means a system that values men more and gives them power over women. Literally, it means "rule by father."

Private sphere: Due to patriarchy, a sexual division of labour exists within families. Women are expected to do all domestic work — cooking, cleaning, childcare — which is unpaid and unrecognised, even though women work more hours daily on average than men.

Public sphere: Women face discrimination in education, employment, and politics. Literacy among women is only 54% vs 76% for men. Women are paid less than men for the same work despite the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. In politics, women's representation in Lok Sabha has been very low, and India ranks among the lowest globally in women's parliamentary participation.

Source: Gender and Politics, Chapter 3

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• The examiner expects the definition of patriarchy first (1 mark), then effects in private sphere (1 mark), then effects in public sphere (1 mark).
• Always use textbook-specific examples: literacy rate, sexual division of labour, Equal Remuneration Act, low political representation.
• Avoid vague statements like "women are oppressed" — back every point with a fact from the text.
• "Private sphere" = household/family life; "public sphere" = education, employment, politics.