Family and Community Class 6 Soial science Chapter 9 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Family is the oldest and most basic unit of society. Many children grow up in a family, which shapes the values, beliefs, and customs they follow. There are various kinds of families in India: the joint family, in which several generations live together sharing responsibilities, and the nuclear family, in which only parents and children live together. Both types have their own importance and relevance in society today.

In a joint family, you might find grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers and sisters, all living under the same roof. These families usually have large gatherings for festivals and daily help from one another.

Nuclear families, on the other hand, are smaller, having just the parents with their children, and sometimes a single parent with children. These two family types can be seen in most neighbourhoods, with joint families being more common in rural areas and nuclear families more common in cities.

Indian languages use many specific terms to describe family members which do not always translate easily to English. For example, words like "bua", "chacha", "nana", and "mausi" in Hindi or different words for elder or younger siblings in Tamil highlight the closeness of relationships in Indian families. There is often no separate word for ‘cousin’ in Indian languages because cousins are considered as brothers and sisters, reflecting strong family ties.

Within a family, each person has different responsibilities, whether they are a parent, child, or elder. Family members work together, sharing duties like cooking, shopping, cleaning, earning, and helping each other with homework or other tasks. Parents care for and guide children, while children gradually take on more responsibility as they grow up. These daily interactions teach values such as love, sharing, teamwork, sacrifice, and respect for all members of the family.

• Household tasks are shared among members, building cooperation and interdependence.
• Parents and elders often pass down traditions and practices to the younger generation.
• Families act as the first ‘school’ for children, where moral values such as ahimsa (non-violence), dāna (generosity), sevā (service), and tyāga (sacrifice) are taught.

Stories from different parts of India show family dynamics and values. In Kerala, Shalini’s family consisted of her parents, brother, grandmother, uncle, aunt, and cousin all living together. When her uncle lost his job and could not afford clothes for the Onam festival, Shalini’s parents bought new clothes for everyone, even if it meant Shalini did not get her choice of a silk dress. This act taught Shalini about sharing and putting the family’s needs before personal desires.

In Meghalaya, Tenzing’s family showed how roles can differ but still build unity. After his mother got busy with work, his father started helping more at home, from cleaning to cooking. Grandparents played vital roles, like assisting Tenzing with homework and helping neighbours. This story shows that family duties can be shared regardless of gender and age, creating a loving environment where all contribute.

• Who makes important decisions in the family such as buying groceries or handling expenses?
• Who takes care of chores like cooking, cleaning, or helping with homework?
• How do different members participate in family traditions or festivals?

A community is formed when families and individuals connect with one another, sharing social ties and supporting each other. Members of a community gather for festivals, weddings, agricultural work, or problem-solving. In rural areas, joint efforts like preparing fields or sharing resources such as water and forests show how communities are united by practical needs and shared customs, often working together without written rules.

• Communities support each other during crises, such as water shortages or natural disasters.
• For instance, the Bhil community in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, followed the tradition of 'halma' by planting trees and setting up water conservation measures as a community effort.
• During the Chennai floods, community groups stepped in to prepare and distribute food to those affected.

In cities, new forms of communities have developed, such as Residents’ Welfare Associations. These groups manage things like cleanliness, waste disposal, or common concerns by making their own rules. Urban communities are different but still depend greatly on the cooperation and support of all members living in the locality as well as essential workers like traders, municipal staff, and others.

Volunteers also play a crucial part in urban communities. The example of Kamal Parmar from Ahmedabad, who started evening tuition classes and dinners for street children, shows how one person’s initiative can benefit many. Other community members, like teachers or older children, often join in. Through these efforts, the importance of helping others and learning together is highlighted.

A community can be defined in many ways—by caste ("jāti"), religion, occupation, region, or even interest. For example, one may belong to the Sikh community in Chennai or the art club in school. Schools themselves have various communities, such as sports teams or hobby groups. The concept of ‘community’ is flexible and can apply to any group united by location, interest, or shared purpose, emphasizing interdependence among people.

• Communities can be small (a club or society) or large (a religion or region).
• Participation and cooperation are necessary for smooth functioning and well-being of the community.
• Interdependence is a key aspect; no group exists in isolation.

• Family is the basic building block of society, teaching values and sharing duties among its members.
• Communities arise from families working together and include villages, neighbourhoods, clubs, or social groups.
• Cooperation, duty, and sharing are important for both families and communities.
• Stories and real-life examples help us understand how unity, help, and kindness can make families and communities stronger.

1. What rules do you follow in your family or community? Why are these rules important?
2. Are there any rules that you think are not fair? Discuss your reasons.
3. Describe a situation when your community or neighbourhood helped someone in need. How did it make a difference?

CBSE Class 6 Social Science Chapter 9 Notes – Family and Community: Complete Revision Guide

These CBSE Class 6 Social Science Chapter 9 notes help you grasp the key concepts of Family and Community in a simple, structured way. They highlight important points, questions, and examples for quick revision before exams. Studying these notes will make understanding roles, types of families, and community responsibilities much easier.

With these concise Class 6 Social Science revision notes, you’ll remember real-life stories, differences between joint and nuclear families, and the value of cooperation. These notes are ideal for last-minute preparation and help in answering textbook activities confidently.