A group of people living in a neighbourhood or village, sharing common interests

What is meant by 'cooperation' in a family?

Working together for the well-being of all members

Depending entirely on one person

Name one responsibility of parents in a family.

Raising children to become happy individuals and responsible members of society

Only sending children to school

What is one responsibility of children in a family?

Respecting elders, helping with household tasks, and studying well

What is meant by 'interdependence' in a family?

Being completely independent of each other

Each member depending on and supporting others, creating mutual reliance

Being dependent only on the eldest member

Why does the chapter say family is the 'most ancient unit' of society?

Families have been the basic building block of human societies since the earliest times, providing care, protection, and social learning

Families were formed only after cities were built

How does the joint family system benefit its members?

It provides emotional support, shared responsibilities, financial security, and preserves cultural traditions across generations

Only the eldest member benefits

Why do Indian languages have many more terms for family relationships than English?

Because Indian families are larger in number only

Because Indian culture emphasises the specific nature of relationships, distinguishing between maternal and paternal relatives, elder and younger siblings, etc.

Family terms are unimportant in Indian culture

What role does the community play beyond the family?

The community provides a wider support network, shared resources, social values, and a sense of belonging beyond the immediate family

Community is only about festivals

How do roles and responsibilities within a family help society function?

Clear roles ensure that different members contribute to the family's well-being, which in turn strengthens the broader community and society

Only one member should have responsibilities

What does the chapter suggest about the relationship between love and responsibility in a family?

Love and responsibility are opposites

Relationships based on love, care, and cooperation naturally lead to a sense of responsibility towards each other

Responsibility replaces love in families

Only children have responsibilities

How does a family transmit cultural values to the next generation?

Through daily interactions, stories, celebrations, rituals, and the example of elders, families pass on cultural values, traditions, and ethical norms

Values are transmitted only through books

Families focus only on economic survival

Why is the community described as an extension of the family?

Communities are unrelated to families

Just as family members support each other, community members share resources, help in times of need, and build bonds of trust that extend the spirit of family to a wider group

Communities are only for business

A community is formed only by strangers

What do Tiruvalluvar's words 'Love and dharma are the flower and fruit of family life' mean?

Love is the beautiful expression of family bonds, while dharma (righteous conduct) is the meaningful outcome—together they make family life fulfilling

Family life has no spiritual dimension

How are modern nuclear families different from traditional joint families in terms of lifestyle?

Nuclear families are smaller, often more independent, and mobile, while joint families offer more collective support but require compromise and shared decision-making

Nuclear families are always better

Joint families are always better

How has urbanisation affected the traditional joint family structure in India?

Urbanisation has strengthened joint families

Urbanisation has led to more nuclear families as people move to cities for work, reducing the traditional joint family structure, though digital connectivity helps maintain family bonds

Urban families are always joint families

Urbanisation has no effect on family structure

What challenges might a nuclear family face that a joint family would not?

Nuclear families face no challenges

Nuclear families may have less emotional support, fewer resources for childcare, and isolation for elderly members, which joint families can offset through shared responsibilities

Joint families face more challenges

Family type does not affect challenges

How do community institutions like schools, temples, and markets contribute to social cohesion?

They serve only individual needs

These institutions bring community members together, create shared experiences and values, and provide spaces for cooperation, learning, and collective identity

Only government buildings create social cohesion

Community institutions are not important

Why is it important that rights and responsibilities within a family are balanced?

When both rights and responsibilities are balanced, each member feels valued and contributes fairly, creating harmony and preventing exploitation within the family

Families function best with only one decision-maker

How do changing family structures reflect changing social and economic conditions?

Economic changes (like industrialisation and urbanisation), changing social values, and legal frameworks all influence how families are formed, structured, and maintained across generations

Family structures change only due to laws

Social conditions have no effect on families

What role do grandparents play in a joint family that might be lost in a nuclear family?

Grandparents transmit cultural knowledge, stories, and values; provide childcare; and offer emotional stability—contributions that a nuclear family must find other ways to replace

Grandparents only need care, not give it

Nuclear families always have grandparents

'The family is the first school of citizenship.' How does family life prepare children for their role in the larger community and nation?

Family has no role in civic education

Within the family, children first learn values like respect, cooperation, responsibility, empathy, and sharing—the very values they need to be good citizens in a democratic community and nation

Schools are the only place for civic education

Citizenship is learned only through law

How does the declining joint family system in India affect the elderly population?

The elderly are always well-cared for

As nuclear families increase, the elderly may face isolation, reduced emotional support, and lack of care—highlighting the need for community support systems and policy attention to elderly welfare

The elderly prefer nuclear families

Family type has no effect on the elderly

'Healthy families build healthy nations.' Do you agree with this statement? Justify.

Nations are built only by governments

Yes—families transmit values of integrity, cooperation, and empathy; support educational development; and create emotionally healthy individuals who contribute positively to society, making family health foundational to national well-being

Families and nations are unrelated

Only economic policies build nations

NCERT Solutions Class 6 Social Science Chapter 9 – Family and Community

Name: Family and Community – Class 6 Social Science
Uploaded: 2026-09-11T06:05:55+00:00
Description: Families and communities form the foundation of Indian society, teaching values like love, duty, and cooperation. Whether in villages or cities, people support each other through shared responsibilities, traditions, and collective efforts.

Class 6 Social Science

Last Updated: 11 September 2026

Share on WhatsApp

Chapter Introduction

Families and communities form the foundation of Indian society, teaching values like love, duty, and cooperation. Whether in villages or cities, people support each other through shared responsibilities, traditions, and collective efforts.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

परिवार और समुदाय भारतीय समाज की नींव हैं, जो प्रेम, कर्तव्य और सहयोग जैसे मूल्य सिखाते हैं। चाहे गांव हों या शहर, लोग साझा जिम्मेदारियों, परंपराओं और सामूहिक प्रयासों के माध्यम से एक-दूसरे का समर्थन करते हैं।

Watch Video Lecture

Practice more on the App!

Get unlimited MCQ tests & video lectures.

Download

Important Points

🕐 Coming Soon

Important points for this chapter will be added shortly. Check back soon!

Practice MCQ Questions (29 questions)

Q1. What is the most fundamental unit of any society?

Q2. What is a joint family?

Q3. What is a nuclear family?

Q4. What does the Hindi word 'bua' refer to?

Q5. Why do most Indian languages not have a separate word for 'cousin'?

Get all 29 MCQ questions + more!

Download the Genius Mind app for unlimited practice, mock tests & video lectures.

▶ Google Play

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

🕐 Coming Soon

FAQs for this chapter will be added soon. Stay tuned!

Tough Words (Glossary)

Fundamental

Meaning: Basic and essential

अर्थ: मूलभूत

"Family is the fundamental unit of society."

Ancient

Meaning: Very old

अर्थ: प्राचीन

"The village has many ancient temples."

Generation

Meaning: All people born around the same time

अर्थ: पीढ़ी

"Three generations live in this house."

Nuclear

Meaning: Small family unit

अर्थ: एकल परिवार

"They live in a nuclear family."

Emphasise

Meaning: To give importance to

अर्थ: महत्व देना

"Teachers emphasise discipline."

Cooperation

Meaning: Working together

अर्थ: सहयोग

"Cooperation makes tasks easier."

Interdependence

Meaning: Depending on each other

अर्थ: परस्पर निर्भरता

"Family members have interdependence."

Responsibilities

Meaning: Duties one must do

अर्थ: जिम्मेदारियाँ

"Children learn responsibilities at home."

Traditions

Meaning: Old practices

अर्थ: परंपराएँ

"We follow old traditions."

Sacrifice

Meaning: Giving up something valuable for others

अर्थ: त्याग

"Parents often make sacrifices for children."

Festival

Meaning: Celebration with rituals

अर्थ: त्योहार

"Diwali is a famous festival."

Financial

Meaning: Related to money

अर्थ: आर्थिक

"They faced financial problems."

Necessities

Meaning: Things needed for living

अर्थ: आवश्यकताएँ

"Food and shelter are basic necessities."

Handicraft

Meaning: Hand-made art work

अर्थ: हस्तशिल्प

"She sells handicraft items."

Chores

Meaning: Household tasks

अर्थ: घर के काम

"He helps with household chores."

Wisdom

Meaning: Deep knowledge

अर्थ: बुद्धि

"The grandmother spoke with wisdom."

Homework

Meaning: Work given by teachers to do at home

अर्थ: गृहकार्य

"I finished my homework."

Complaint

Meaning: Report of a problem

अर्थ: शिकायत

"He filed a complaint about noise."

Neighbourhood

Meaning: People living nearby

अर्थ: पड़ोस

"The neighbourhood is clean."

Expenses

Meaning: Money spent

अर्थ: खर्चे

"They managed their expenses carefully."

Unexpected

Meaning: Not expected

अर्थ: अप्रत्याशित

"An unexpected guest arrived."

Connected

Meaning: Linked together

अर्थ: जुड़ा हुआ

"The families are connected."

Community

Meaning: Group of people living together

अर्थ: समुदाय

"A community celebrates festivals together."

Celebrate

Meaning: To observe a special day

अर्थ: मनाना

"We celebrate Independence Day."

Agricultural

Meaning: Related to farming

अर्थ: कृषि संबंधी

"Agricultural work needs effort."

Resources

Meaning: Wealth of nature to use

अर्थ: प्राकृतिक संपत्ति

"Water is an important resource."

Tribal

Meaning: Community living in forests

अर्थ: जनजातीय

"They belong to a tribal group."

Regulations

Meaning: Rules to follow

अर्थ: नियम

"The school has strict regulations."

Secure

Meaning: Safe and protected

अर्थ: सुरक्षित

"Children feel secure at home."

Support

Meaning: To help someone

अर्थ: सहायता करना

"We must support our friends."

Underprivileged

Meaning: Poor and disadvantaged

अर्थ: वंचित

"The underprivileged children need help."

Tuition

Meaning: Private teaching after school

अर्थ: शिक्षा शुल्क

"She goes for maths tuition."

Affection

Meaning: Strong love or care

अर्थ: स्नेह

"She showed affection for her pet."

Volunteers

Meaning: People offering service freely

अर्थ: स्वयंसेवक

"Volunteers helped in the event."

Residents

Meaning: People living in an area

अर्थ: निवासी

"The residents joined hands."

Associations

Meaning: Formal groups of people

अर्थ: संघ

"The associations made rules."

Cleanliness

Meaning: Keeping things neat

अर्थ: स्वच्छता

"Cleanliness is important."

Municipal

Meaning: Town workers

अर्थ: नगरपालिका

"Municipal workers collect garbage."

Interdependent

Meaning: Relying on each other

अर्थ: परस्पर निर्भर

"Villages are interdependent."

Subdivision

Meaning: Part of a larger group

अर्थ: उपविभाग

"This is a subdivision of the group."

Religion

Meaning: Belief system

अर्थ: धर्म

"Hinduism is a religion."

Region

Meaning: Area or place

अर्थ: क्षेत्र

"This region is very cold."

Scientific

Meaning: Related to science

अर्थ: वैज्ञानिक

"He is in a scientific group."

Farming

Meaning: Growing crops

अर्थ: खेती

"Farming is their main work."

Harmony

Meaning: Peaceful living together

अर्थ: सौहार्द

"They live in harmony."

Values

Meaning: Moral principles

अर्थ: मूल्य

"Honesty is a good value."

Customs

Meaning: Social practices

अर्थ: रीति-रिवाज

"Customs are followed in festivals."

← Previous

Ch 8: Unity in Diversity or Many in the One

Ch 10: Grassroots Democracy Part 1 Governance