CBSE Class 12 Home Science — NCERT Solutions

Work can be perceived in three main ways:

1. As a job and livelihood — work is mainly a source of income to support oneself and the family.
2. As a career — work is seen as a path of continuous progress, higher responsibility, status, pay and achievement.
3. As a calling — work is done for the satisfaction it gives, driven by an inner sense of purpose or higher direction.

So, work may be understood as a means of living, a route to professional growth, or a source of inner fulfilment.

Job and career are different:

• A job is mainly an involvement in work for earning money and making a living. The person may work primarily for the income or for the sake of the work itself.
• A career is more than a job. It is a long-term path of growth in which a person works steadily to excel, develop, gain higher positions, status, pay and responsibility.

In short, a job is a means of livelihood, while a career is a lifelong process of development and achievement in a chosen field.

Design is not mere decoration. It is the planning and creation of an article for a specific purpose. In a broad sense, it is harmony in form, where the aesthetic aspect is integrated with the utility of the object. A good design is therefore not only pleasing to look at, but also functional and suitable for its use.

The texture of a fabric during manufacture is affected by these factors:

• Fibre content — the fibre type, whether natural or man-made, its length, fineness and surface characteristics.
• Yarn processing and yarn type — the method of processing, the twist inserted, the fineness of yarn and whether the yarn is simple, complex, novelty or textured.
• Fabric construction technique — the way the fabric is made, such as weaving, knitting, felting, braiding or lace-making, and the compactness of the weave or knit.
• Fabric finishes — treatments such as stiffening, ironing, calendaring, tentering, napping and fulling.
• Surface ornamentation — effects such as tufting, flock printing, embroidery and stitched effects.

These all change how the fabric looks, feels and behaves.

The studies show that diet can influence disease causation and disease prevention.

(a) Role of diet in disease causation:
Unhealthy food habits can contribute to disease. The chapter states that increased intake of fat, sugar, salt, and refined foods, along with low fibre and less physical activity, are associated with diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and colon cancer.

(b) Role of diet in disease prevention:
A healthy diet can help prevent disease. Foods such as fish (rich in omega-3 fatty acids), fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats are linked with better health and lower risk of heart disease. Thus, a balanced diet helps in prevention of chronic diseases and promotes good health.

The study of clinical nutrition and dietetics is significant because it deals with nutrition during illness and the nutritional management of patients with disease. It helps in:

• providing optimum nutrition for immunity, healing and recovery,
• supporting medical treatment in disease conditions,
• improving prognosis, recovery and duration of hospitalisation,
• preventing and managing acute and chronic diseases, and
• ensuring that patients receive individualised diet therapy through a trained dietitian/clinical nutritionist.

It also has growing importance because more people now need nutritional care due to communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, ageing, and emerging health problems.

The major developments in fashion can be outlined in sequence:

• In ancient and medieval times, styles remained almost unchanged for long periods, sometimes for a century.
• During the Renaissance, Western civilisation came into contact with different cultures, customs and costumes, which led to faster changes in fashion.
• France became the centre of fashion in the early 18th century. King Louis XIV's court made Paris the fashion capital of Europe, and France’s silk industry supported fashionable dress.
• At that time, clothes were hand made and custom made.
• The Industrial Revolution brought technological advances in textile and apparel production. Inventions like the spinning jenny and power looms increased fabric production and helped the growth of the American textile industry.
• The sewing machine turned handcraft into an industry and made fashion more widely available.
• In 1849, Levi Strauss used sturdy fabric for long-wearing work pants, which became denims.
• In the 1880s, women started wearing separate skirts and blouses, which helped the growth of ready-to-wear clothing.
• By the 19th century, affordable fashions reached the public through fairs, bazaars, and retail stores.
• In the 1960s, prêt-à-porter or ready-to-wear clothing became an important alternative to couture, and Yves Saint Laurent introduced a full prêt-à-porter line.

These developments show how fashion changed from slow, hand-made clothing to industrially produced and ready-to-wear fashion.

• Stunting: Present when the height is less than adequate for age; it means short stature due to chronic undernutrition.
• Low birthweight baby: A baby who weighs less than 2500 g or 2.5 kg at birth.
• IDD: Iodine Deficiency Disorders; a spectrum of disabling conditions affecting humans from fetal life through adulthood due to inadequate dietary intake of iodine.
• Wasting: When weight is not adequate relative to height.
• Double burden of malnutrition: The coexistence of both undernutrition and overnutrition in the same population.
• Marasmus: Severe undernutrition due to deficiency of food and energy.
• Kwashiorkor: Severe undernutrition caused by protein deficiency.
• Community: A specific group of people who share common characteristics such as a common language, similar conditions, common lifestyle, or the same health problem.

Care and maintenance of fabrics includes two aspects:

1. Keeping the material free of physical damage and rectifying any damage that may have occurred during its use.
2. Retaining or refreshing the appearance by removing stains and dirt and preserving the textural and visual characteristics.

(A) Food Science: A distinct field that applies basic sciences like chemistry, physics, microbiology, culinary arts and agronomics to understand the composition, properties, spoilage and processing of food from harvesting/slaughtering to cooking and consumption.

(B) Food Processing: The set of methods and techniques used to transform raw ingredients into finished and semi-finished products. It converts good quality raw materials from plant and/or animal sources into attractive, marketable and often long-shelf-life food products.

(C) Food Technology: The science and application of scientific, socio-economic knowledge and legal rules for production. It uses knowledge of Food Science and Food Engineering to produce varied foods and develop skills in selection, storage, preservation, processing, packaging and distribution of safe, nutritious and affordable foods.

(D) Food Manufacturing: The mass production of food products using principles of food technology to meet the diverse needs of the growing population.

(E) Food Spoilage: The deterioration of food due to physical, chemical or biological changes that causes off-flavour, texture changes, discoloration, loss of nutritional value and makes food unfit or unsafe for consumption.

The front office is important because it is the first point of contact between the guest and the hotel. The guest arrives here first, so the staff’s interaction with the guest helps create a good relationship and builds the image of the hotel. It handles important services such as welcoming guests, registration/check-in, room allocation, issuing keys, giving information, coordinating with other departments, and settling bills. Because of this, it plays a central role in smooth functioning and guest satisfaction.

Food safety and quality are of global concern because unsafe or low-quality food can cause food-borne diseases, illness and even death. The chapter notes that food-borne illness is a major public health problem worldwide and can also damage trade and tourism, cause loss of earnings, unemployment and litigation, and hinder economic growth. In present times, concern has increased because more people eat outside their homes, food is prepared in bulk, many foods are processed and packaged, transport and distribution are complex, new pathogens are emerging, and contamination can occur from pollution, pesticides, additives and poor handling. Since foods are also traded internationally, countries need effective standards and control systems to ensure that both locally produced and imported foods are safe and wholesome.

a. Consumer: A consumer is the final buyer of goods and services for satisfying personal needs and wants. A consumer may buy products of nature or goods and services from the market.

b. Consumer rights: These are the rights provided legally to protect consumer interests. They ensure that consumers get reasonable quality goods and services at fair prices.

c. Consumer responsibilities: These are the duties a consumer should follow, such as being informed, checking labels, comparing prices, keeping receipts, and buying standardised products.

d. Consumer Protection Act: It is a landmark law made to protect consumers from fraudulent trade practices and provide simple, speedy and inexpensive redressal for grievances.

e. Consumer problems: These are the difficulties consumers face in the market, such as poor quality goods, adulteration, high prices, misleading information, incorrect weights and measures, fake products, and poor services.

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is the care and education of children in the early childhood stage, which the chapter defines as birth to 8 years of age. It includes supporting the child’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development through care, play, learning experiences and a supportive environment. ECCE also aims at the holistic development of the child, preparation for school, and providing support services for women and children.

Development Communication is the use of communication as a catalyst for social development. It is the systematic application of the processes, strategies and principles of communication to bring about positive social change. It is also described as the art and science of human communication used to facilitate the development of a disadvantaged society in a planned manner.

Its role in development is very important. It:

• creates awareness about development issues and available technologies,
• educates and informs people,
• mobilises people to use new ideas and technologies for the betterment of society,
• links government agencies, NGOs and people,
• helps bring dialogue, consensus and concerted action for social change,
• supports goals like poverty alleviation, health, sanitation, education, environmental conservation and gender equity.

So, development communication helps people understand problems and participate in solutions for development.

Children, youth and elderly are vulnerable because each of these groups has special needs, and if those needs are not met they are more likely to be affected by difficult circumstances.

• Children are vulnerable because childhood is a period of rapid development in all domains. They need food, shelter, health care, love, nurturance and stimulation in a holistic manner. If they face malnutrition, lack of care, neglect, abuse or no access to education, their full potential is affected.
• Youth are vulnerable because this is a period of biological, emotional and social change. They face stress from peer pressure, competition, problems in identity formation, substance abuse, and risks related to sexual and reproductive health. Youth in special situations such as rural and tribal areas, out-of-school youth, female adolescents, youth with disabilities, and those who are trafficked, orphaned or street children are especially vulnerable.
• Elderly are vulnerable because of health problems, reduced physiological reserves, disabilities such as poor vision, deafness and loss of mobility, loneliness, dependence on younger family members, and reduced family support due to changes in family structure and city life. Many elderly are also poor and live in difficult conditions.

Thus, all three groups are vulnerable because their needs are often not fully met and adverse circumstances can have a greater harmful impact on them.

Corporate communication is significant today because it helps an organisation control how the world sees it. It shapes the public perception of the organisation among stakeholders such as the public, employees, competitors, stockholders and customers. Its importance lies in creating:

• Positive and favourable public perception
• Effective and efficient avenues of communication
• Strong corporate culture, corporate identity and corporate philosophy
• A genuine sense of corporate citizenship

It is also important in crisis situations, because the way the crisis is communicated and handled affects how people react to the organisation. Through press releases, newsletters, advertisements and other media, the organisation can share the information it wants the public to have and manage its reputation.