Notes-Class 10-Science & Technology-2-Chapter-9-Social Health-Maharashtra Board

Factors disturbing or endangering the social health :

1. Mental Stress :

• Due to population explosion, there is increased competition in every aspect such as education, employment and business.
• Due to nuclear families and working parents, children are facing the problems of loneliness and mental stress. Parents and especially mother being away from home has resulted into stress in children.
• There is unequal treatment given to girl and a boy from the same house. The discrimination between brother and sister causes mental stress to girls due to such gender inequality.
• In community, the adolescent girls are faced with the problems like teasing and molestation.
• All the people are facing the stress due to ever increasing disorder, crime and violence.
• People are in the quest of getting ‘fast and easy money’ become part of the system of crime. This is a social illness which is very hazardous effect of changing attitudes of people.

2. Addiction :

• In adolescent age group, there is tremendous pressure of peers. This peer-group influence can be at times wrong, if the friends are not good. Instead of following advice of parents, the adolescent girls and boys tend to listen to the wrong advices of their friends.
• Due to lack of parental supervision, children in their early age start using tobacco, cigarette, gutkha, alcoholic drinks, drugs, etc. This may be due to peer-pressure.
• The children fall into the trap of addictions either due to peer-group pressure or due to false symbol of high standard living. Sometimes they try to imitate their elders.
• The addictive substances are hazardous, and they cause long term effects. Some are temporarily intoxicating substances obtained from the plants. While some of the chemical ingredients in them can permanently damage the human nervous system, muscular system, heart, etc. Some tobacco like substances are carcinogenic in action especially on the mouth and lungs.

3. Incurable disease :

• Incurable diseases such as AIDS, TB, leprosy can spoil the social health.
• Care of patients of mental disorders and that of the old persons is very crucial to keep the social health in proper order.
• Due to changing pattern of our life style, there is increase in old age homes. In order to maintain the social health, we have to care for the older people in our community.
• Similarly, mentally disturbed patients should be given love and care along with prompt medical help.

4. Communication Media and excessive use of Modern Technology :

• Modern technology and communication media have drastically Changed the lives of people. Mobile phone has become an addiction that can endanger the social health. People remain constantly on the phones.
• Due to addiction to electronic media, various physical problems like tiredness, headache, insomnia (inability to sleep) forgetfulness, tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears), Joint pains and problems in vision are on rise, This may be due to radiation of cell phones,
• Such radiations penetrate the bones of children causing damage, Person who are on computers and internet continuously become solitary. They remain aloof and do not have contact with his or her relatives and members of society. This loads to self-centeredness. They lose the sensitivity towards others.
• Negative computer and cell phone games cause children to become negative in their thoughts and actions. They are tremendously time consuming. The concentration in the studies is lost and memorization, understanding of the subjects also become a problem. Some activities like these cause financial loss and it may cost life too. Therefore, one should be vigilant while using such media.
• The internet has such huge information that it can provide information for every question. But its use should be done for only positive purposes. There are many inappropriate contents on the web. These should not be seen by young people. Though Government has banned such sites, elders in the house should supervise on the use of the internet.

The symptoms of mental ill health :

• Mentally ill persons are those who are indulging in such destructive and unnatural activities.
• Selfiecide persons constantly take selfies as they are not aware about their surroundings and the risks that may make them victims. Person indulging in selfie is not aware about the world around and the risks.
• Persons who commit domestic violence.
• Suicidal thoughts, sending messages to others and then committing suicides. Such sick people actually need support and they want others to sympathise with them.
• Spending lots of time on television, computer or cell phone without having conscience about time management is also a sign of mental illness.

Cybercrime unit : This is the department that collects the details, and investigate the cybercrime and thereby find the criminal with the help of the internet. This department is under the police department. It has all experts of the field of internet technology.

IT Act-2000 :

• The IT Act is enacted since 17th October 2000. It was amended in 2008.
• Cvbercriminal gets the imprisonment for 3 years or fine up to 5 lakh as a punishment.
• Maharashtra state is the first state to start cybercrime unit which is controlling the cybercrimes.

Mental problems :

(1) Depression (2) Frustration

Nowadays, there is fierce competition, insecurity and criminal tendencies in the society. This kind of atmosphere is increasing mental and emotional stress. If the stress remains buried in the mind, persons are depressed or frustrated. This causes, mental disorders if not treated in time. Depression can lead to addictions. The suicidal thoughts hover in the mind.

Example: Girls are facing the problems of stress due to gender in equality.

In most of the households there are many bindings on girls and excessive freedom for boys, Boys do not participate in the domestic duties. Whereas girls have compulsion for the same. In society too girls have to face the problems like teasing and molestation. This creates insecurity among the minds of girls. The social change has made women independent and equal but still the male dominated society and the gender inequality persists causing more stress for young girls.

Importance of outdoor games :  Outdoor games give good physical exercise.

These games give many physical benefits. It improves personal discipline, interaction with fellow players and created sense of unity. Through play by driving away the loneliness, mental stress and depression is reduced. The person becomes more social. Therefore, it is said that the importance of outdoor games is unparalleled.

Importance of good communication: If the stress remains buried in the mind, persons are depressed or frustrated. Depression can lead to addictions. The suicidal thoughts hover in the mind. If at that phase we can open our heart by good communication, many problems can be solved.

• Help from counsellors can be taken to relieve the stress.
• By good communication with parents or family members harmonious relations can be re-established

Importance of exercise, yoga and meditation :

• Exercise, yoga and meditation are the ways to reduce mental and physical stress.
• In yoga various asanas and pranayama are performed. It also includes good food and discipline of the body and mind.
• Deep breathing, yog needra can help in the building up health.
• Meditation helps in concentration and brings positivity to the mind. Especially, the students increase the concentration in the studies.

Effects of alcoholism : Alcoholism is the addiction to have alcohol in the form of different types of liquor. Liquor is produced from alcohol. Alcohol is in turn obtained by fermentation of different substances.

• Consuming liquor becomes an addiction for a long-term. Due to alcohol, the efficiency of nervous system and especially the brain is affected.
• Other vital organs such as kidneys and liver are adversely affected.
• Lifespan of an alcoholic decreases due to constant drinking and malnourishment.
• Especially in adolescent age if alcohol is consumed the brain functioning does not take place properly. The mental ability of memorization andlearning becomes slow. There is a lack of concentration in studies.
• The alcoholic person lacks the rational thinking and hence faces with social, mental and familial problems along with physical illness.
• If alcohol is manufactured in a wrong way by using any substrates, it forms the poisonous chemicals. Such chemicals can be lethal too.

Institutions that offer help :

• Unified Movement against Tobacco : 45 different well-known organizations such as WHO, Tata trust, etc. have started the movement to control the tobacco consumption. The guidance is also provided to the activists who are active in anti-tobacco campaigns.
• Salaam Mumbai Foundation : This organization runs programs in various schools in Mumbai. The children from slum area are given opportunities in the field of education, sports, arts and business. The organization also helps the children in field of education and helps them to improve their health and lifestyle. This organization helps each school to take the oath of freedom from tobacco.
• Government Schemes : Phone number / helpline numbers are published in newspaper to help the children. Children in distress or facing any type of trouble can call on the helpline set by the Government. Proper help and guidelines are offered to children if they narrate the problem on this helpline.