Social Stratification - Social Differences, Inequality, Gender MCQ Quiz in বাংলা - Objective Question with Answer for Social Stratification - Social Differences, Inequality, Gender - বিনামূল্যে ডাউনলোড করুন [PDF]

The correct answer is - Khairlanji Massacre

Key Points

• Khairlanji Massacre
  • The Khairlanji massacre refers to the brutal killing of a Dalit family in Khairlanji, a small village in Maharashtra, India, in 2006.
  • This incident highlighted the intersection of gender and caste discrimination in India.
  • Rege's work analyzes how caste-based violence is often intertwined with gender-based violence.
  • Her analysis sheds light on the systemic oppression faced by marginalized communities in India.

Additional Information

• Gender and Caste
  • Gender and caste are two critical axes of social stratification in India.
  • Women from marginalized castes often face multiple layers of discrimination.
  • Studies have shown that caste-based violence is frequently accompanied by gender-based violence.
• Rege's Contributions
  • Sharmila Rege was a prominent Indian sociologist known for her work on gender and caste.
  • She emphasized the importance of looking at social issues through an intersectional lens.
  • Rege's work has been instrumental in highlighting the unique challenges faced by Dalit women in India.
• Intersectionality
  • Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how multiple social identities intersect to create unique experiences of oppression and privilege.
  • It was first coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw and has been widely used in sociological research.
  • In the context of India, intersectionality helps in understanding the compounded discrimination faced by individuals at the intersection of caste and gender.

The correct answer is - Postmodernist/Poststructuralist Feminism

Key Points

• Postmodernist/Poststructuralist Feminism
  • Rege’s Dalit Feminist Standpoint Theory critiques Postmodernist/Poststructuralist Feminism for its tendency to overlook the unique experiences of Dalit women.
  • Postmodernist/Poststructuralist Feminism often emphasizes the fluidity and constructed nature of identities, which can downplay the fixed and structural oppression faced by Dalit women.
  • Rege argues that the focus on language and discourse in Postmodernist/Poststructuralist Feminism fails to address the material realities and systemic inequalities that Dalit women face.

Additional Information

• Liberal Feminism
  • Focuses on achieving gender equality through legal and political reforms within the framework of liberal democracy.
  • Critiqued by Dalit Feminists for not addressing the intersection of caste and gender.
• Marxist Feminism
  • Examines the ways in which women are oppressed through systems of capitalism and private property.
  • Dalit Feminists argue that Marxist Feminism often overlooks the specific caste-based oppression faced by Dalit women.
• Ecofeminism
  • Links the exploitation and degradation of the natural world with the subordination and oppression of women.
  • Dalit Feminists critique Ecofeminism for not adequately considering the caste dimension in the exploitation of both women and nature.

The correct answer is - Dalit Women Talk Differently

Key Points

• Dalit Women Talk Differently
  • This work by Sharmila Rege presents a critique of mainstream feminism from a Dalit feminist standpoint.
  • Rege highlights how mainstream feminism often ignores the intersection of caste and gender, which is crucial for understanding the unique experiences of Dalit women.
  • The essay argues for a more inclusive feminist discourse that recognizes the specific struggles and voices of Dalit women.

Additional Information

• Intersectionality in Feminism
  • Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how various forms of inequality and identity (e.g., race, gender, class, caste) intersect and affect individuals differently.
  • In the context of Dalit feminism, intersectionality is crucial for addressing how caste and gender oppression intersect and create unique challenges for Dalit women.
• Mainstream Feminism
  • Mainstream feminism often focuses on issues primarily affecting upper-caste and middle-class women, sometimes neglecting the unique issues faced by marginalized groups like Dalit women.
  • Critiques from Dalit feminists like Sharmila Rege call for a more inclusive approach that addresses the specific injustices faced by women from lower castes.

The correct answer is - Gender and Caste

Key Points

• Sharmila Rege
  • Sharmila Rege was an eminent scholar who significantly contributed to the study of the intersection of Gender and Caste.
  • Her work primarily focused on understanding how these social structures interact and influence each other, particularly in the Indian context.
  • She emphasized the importance of considering both gender and caste simultaneously to fully understand the social dynamics and inequalities present in society.

Additional Information

• Gender
  • Gender refers to the social and cultural constructs associated with being male or female. It is distinct from biological sex.
  • Understanding gender involves examining roles, behaviors, activities, and expectations society imposes on individuals based on their perceived sex.
• Caste
  • Caste is a form of social stratification characterized by hereditary transmission of lifestyle, occupation, and social status.
  • In India, the caste system has deep historical roots and continues to impact social interactions and opportunities.
• Intersectionality
  • Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how various forms of social stratification, such as race, gender, and caste, intersect and create overlapping systems of disadvantage.
  • This concept is crucial for analyzing the complex, interconnected nature of social identities and inequalities.

The correct answer is - Vandana Shiva

Key Points

• Vandana Shiva
  • Shiva's work in ecofeminism emphasizes the connection between the oppression of women and the degradation of nature.
  • Agarwal critiques Shiva's view for potentially essentializing women's roles and experiences.
  • Shiva argues that women have a special relationship with nature due to their roles in agriculture and food production.

Additional Information

• Ecofeminism
  • Ecofeminism combines ecology and feminism, examining the parallels between the exploitation of nature and the oppression of women.
  • It seeks to address both environmental and social justice issues.
• Agarwal's Critique
  • Agarwal critiques the idea that women are inherently closer to nature, suggesting that this view may reinforce traditional gender roles.
  • She advocates for a more context-specific analysis of women's environmental interactions.

The correct answer is - Together

Key Points

• Oppression of Women and Nature
  • According to Agarwal, the oppression of women and nature occurs together.
  • This concept is rooted in the idea that both women and nature are subjected to similar forms of exploitation and domination.
  • Their oppression is often interconnected and mutually reinforcing.
• Ecofeminism
  • Agarwal's perspective aligns with ecofeminism, which examines the link between the exploitation of nature and the oppression of women.
  • Ecofeminism argues that the domination of women and nature has common roots in patriarchal systems.

Additional Information

• Ecofeminism and Social Justice
  • Ecofeminism is not just about the environment and gender but also about social justice.
  • It calls for a holistic approach to address issues of inequality, ecological degradation, and social injustices.
• Patriarchy and Domination
  • Patriarchal structures are seen as a key factor in both the oppression of women and the exploitation of nature.
  • This domination manifests in various forms, such as economic exploitation, social marginalization, and environmental destruction.
• Intersectionality
  • Understanding the oppression of women and nature through an intersectional lens helps to highlight how various forms of oppression are interconnected.
  • Intersectionality considers multiple factors such as gender, race, class, and environment, providing a more comprehensive analysis of oppression.

The correct answer is - Ecofeminism

Key Points

• Ecofeminism
  • Bina Agarwal is a prominent scholar in the field of Ecofeminism, which explores the intersections between the oppression of women and the degradation of the environment.
  • Her work emphasizes the role of women in environmental conservation and the impact of environmental policies on women's lives, particularly in rural areas.
  • Agarwal's research highlights how gender inequalities and environmental issues are interconnected, advocating for gender-sensitive approaches to environmental management.

Additional Information

• Other Feminist Perspectives
  • Radical Feminism
    • Focuses on the patriarchal structures that oppress women and advocates for radical reordering of society to eliminate male supremacy.
    • Emphasizes the need to address issues such as violence against women, reproductive rights, and sexual autonomy.
  • Liberal Feminism
    • Advocates for equal rights and opportunities for women through legal and political reforms.
    • Focuses on achieving gender equality within the existing social structures by promoting educational and occupational opportunities for women.
  • Socialist Feminism
    • Examines the ways in which capitalism and patriarchy intersect to oppress women.
    • Advocates for a radical transformation of society to achieve economic and gender justice.

The correct answer is - Deep social critique and active intervention

Key Points

• Deep social critique and active intervention
  • Desai's research emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to improve women's status.
  • Merely legal changes or economic independence are insufficient without addressing underlying social structures and norms.
  • Active intervention involves proactive measures to challenge and change traditional gender roles and biases.
  • This approach requires a combination of education, policy changes, and community-based initiatives.

Additional Information

• Legal Changes
  • Legal changes are crucial but not sufficient on their own to ensure gender equality.
  • Without social acceptance and enforcement, laws can often be ineffective.
• Economic Independence
  • Economic independence empowers women but must be coupled with changes in social attitudes.
  • Economic empowerment can face limitations due to persistent gender biases and discrimination in the workplace.
• Ignoring Traditional Gender Roles
  • Ignoring traditional gender roles without addressing them can perpetuate existing inequalities.
  • Active efforts are needed to challenge and change these roles for sustainable progress.

The correct answer is - Social paradigms and social change

Key Points

• Social paradigms and social change
  • Desai emphasizes that the status of women in India is significantly influenced by evolving social norms and the process of social change.
  • This viewpoint highlights the dynamic nature of societal values and the role they play in shaping women's roles and rights.
  • It underscores the importance of understanding historical and contemporary social movements that advocate for women's empowerment.

Additional Information

• Influence of Social Movements
  • Social movements such as the women's liberation movement have played a crucial role in challenging and changing societal norms regarding gender equality.
  • These movements aim to address issues like gender discrimination, domestic violence, and female education.
• Role of Education
  • Education is a powerful tool for social change, providing women with the knowledge and skills needed to assert their rights and contribute to society.
  • Increased access to education has been linked with positive outcomes such as higher employment rates and improved health for women.
• Legislative Changes
  • Legal reforms, such as laws against domestic violence and gender discrimination, reflect and reinforce shifts in social paradigms.
  • These changes help to institutionalize the gains made through social movements, making them part of the legal framework of the country.

The correct answer is - Woman in Modern India

Key Points

• Woman in Modern India
  • Authored by Neera Desai, a pioneering scholar in gender studies in India.
  • This book is considered her most famous work, offering a comprehensive analysis of the status and roles of women in modern Indian society.
  • It provides an in-depth examination of the historical, social, and economic factors influencing women's lives in India.
  • Widely used as a reference in academic courses and research related to gender studies.

Additional Information

• Neera Desai
  • One of the foremost feminist scholars in India.
  • Her work has significantly contributed to the field of women's studies in India.
  • She was involved in the establishment of the first Research Centre for Women's Studies in SNDT Women's University, Mumbai.
• Gender Studies
  • An interdisciplinary field that examines gender identity and gendered representation.
  • Focuses on social and cultural constructions of gender and their impact on individuals and society.
  • Explores issues such as gender inequality, gender roles, and the intersectionality of gender with other social categories like race, class, and sexuality.