Social Studies Note for Grade X (Domestic Violence and Untouchability-Unit- 4)

Social Studies Note for Grade X

LESSON-2

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND UNTOUCHABILITY

Introduction
It is said that change is the law of nature. The world is changing. The present society is
also leading towards modernity from traditionalism. However, some traditional views and practices are still prevalent in our society. Such traditional views and practices adversely affect the individual, family, society and the nation. In order to build an ideal society, it is necessary to bring reforms in such thought and practices. There are lots of such narrow-mindedness, evil practices and traditional beliefs in our society such as bullying, discrimination, domestic violence, untouchability, etc. Some of such thoughts and practices are discussed below:

1.    Domestic Violence:
Violent behaviour like battering, mistreatment, threatening, coercion, etc. to the family members within the home is as domestic violence. The purpose of domestic violence is to establish and exert power and control over other. Men most often use it against their spouses. This kind of violence is common not only in rural areas but also in urban areas. Domestic violence starts from issues like character, manner of speaking, respect, rights, approach etc. Common causes of domestic violence are dowry, illiteracy, poverty, addiction, illegal relationship, lending and borrowing of property etc.

Effects of Domestic Violence:

a.    The person may suffer from depression, fear, tension and distraction.

b.    It causes family misunderstanding and breakup in relationship.

c.    The person may involve in drug abuse and commit suicide.

d.    It decreases the excitement, eagerness and enthusiasm in a person.

e.    It creates social clash and cause loss of prestige, respect and value in the society, and

f.     It creates negative impacts on senior citizens and children in the family.

Measures to Control Domestic Violence:

a.    Be civilized and remain in discipline.

b.    Behave equally.

c.    Establish equal ownership on property.

d.    In case of violence, inform the police or concerned authority.

e.    Increase in awareness.

f.     Maintain unity against domestic violence.

g.    Respect the opinion of every member in the family, and

h.    Work as per the group decision.

2.    Untouchability:
It is a practice in which people are discriminated on the basis of their caste, religion, occupation, region, sex. physical system or physical disability and kept at a distance as untouchable. In this practice, the people in the society are divided into two groups as touchable and untouchable. Untouchable is not allowed to touch the touchable, enter into the home of touchable, use public property, etc. It is considered that the touch of the untouchable makes the things or touchable impure.

Untouchability is still widespread in the rural areas of Nepal. In some of the places, Dalits are prohibited from entering into the temple, using public water taps etc. There is a tradition of sprinkling holy water on a person touched by untouchable for purification. Such practices are completely based on traditional beliefs and also the challenging social problems. So, by spreading education and awareness, it should be uprooted from the society.

Effects of Untouchability:

a.    It increases social conflict.

b.    It causes social discrimination and division.

c.    It lessens the social goodwill and cooperation.

d.    It causes loss of social value and prestige.

e.    It causes discrimination in opportunity and facility, and

f.     The person may feel self-humiliation and inferior.

Measures to Solve Untouchability:

a.    Spread education and awareness.

b.    Formulate and implement effective laws against it.

c.    Make provision of positive discrimination.

d.    Run the programs to increase collaboration, cooperation and goodwill.

e.    Maintain social inclusion.