PRATIK JUIKAR: ANT1 answer copy

A) Racism is a myth. Explain.

Racism as a cultural ideology emerged out of biological concept of Race.

• Race: As defined by Boyd (1950) Race is a population which differs significantly from other populations with regard to frequency of one or more genes.

• Racism: on the other hand is an ideology, set of beliefs that advocate superiority of certain races over others.

• Racism views cultural difference between people as a result of genetically inherited traits.

• Thus, it leads to prejudices & discrimination.

However, this belief of Racism has been completely disproven empirically -

Scientific Evidences Against Racism

1. R.C. Lewontin conducted multivariate studies and showed that only 6% variation was found among different races, whereas 94% variation of physical traits is found within each race. Thus, human grouping based on racial criteria is in itself arbitrary.

2. Physical & Mental abilities have been repeatedly proven to be due to combination of Genetic + Environmental factors.

3. Cultural superiority - through twin studies it has been proven that civilisation, scientific achievements are not monopoly of any particular race.

4. Blood groups & Hb - has nothing to do with race.

5. There is No pure race as any one race is not in exclusive possession of any particular gene.

Thus, Racism is only a cultural category & mental construct with no scientific basis. It is as good as myth.

This unscientific 'myth' has been used since centuries for oppression & discrimination e.g. Holocaust - killing of Jews as a separate race. Recent 'Black Lives Matter' protests highlight the responsibility of Anthropologists to communicate & disseminate this proven knowledge.

D) Ageing and Senescence in developing and developed country

Ageing and Senescence refer to growing old. Stretchler (1962) has defined senescence as the changes which occur during post reproductive period and resulting into decreased survival capacity of an individual.

• Ageing & senescence process bring their own health problems for all -

• These problems are common, irrespective of developmental status of nation..

• However, varied socio-economic conditions in Developing & Developed countries bring differences in other dimensions as -

Developed countries • well developed healthcare system and social security measures provide physical comfort and safety to aged population.

• However, they have to face social & psychological stresses as -

1. Isolation due to individualistic culture - children don't stay with parents
2. Anxiety & Depression due to low level of community bonding
3. Directionlessness

Developing countries • Ageing in Developing countries is full of Economic hardships due to poverty and absence of social security net. • On the other hand, low availability and non-affordability of specialised geriatric care put further strain on aged populations. • In urban areas, senior citizens have to face similar hardships of Isolation & neglect.

Forces of industrialisation have made social & psychological life of majority of old age population difficult. Further, Automation will lead to their Economic ouster. Recent COVID pandemic has exposed severe vulnerability of this population. Thus, we need to include social security net along with psychological well-being.

E) Health and Disease

Medical Anthropology is an applied part of Anthropology which studies health and disease among humans. It examines how health & diseases are affected or spread in society.

Health • In broadest terms, health is overall sense of well-being (WHO) • It is not merely absence of a disease or illness but complete - physical, social, mental well-being.

Disease • Disease on the other hand is an objective or subjective condition of not being healthy. • There can be various types of diseases

• Any human disease is a casual web of -

1. Exogenous factors • such as pathogens, vectors, atmosphere, pollutants, events etc.
2. Endogenous factors • Genetic & non-genetic processes inside body
3. Demographic • certain diseases disproportionately target certain populations e.g. High mortality rate of children due to diarrhoea, High mortality rate of old age population due to COVID-19.
4. Behaviour • social, cultural & psychological factors