Chapter 10 — Social Health

Social health is defined as the ability to form satisfying interpersonal relationships with others. A socially healthy person makes positive relationships, adapts in different social situations, and acts appropriately as per the situation.

The Preamble to the Constitution of India provides for Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. The chapter states these four values are directly related to the social health of a person or a country.

Life skills are abilities that help individuals live happily in society. The chapter lists nine: empathy, self-awareness, effective communication, interpersonal relationships, problem-solving, decision-making, creative thinking, critical thinking, and coping with stress and emotional distress. All these help develop desirable social health.

Empathy is the ability to understand another's feelings in a particular situation. It goes hand in hand with self-awareness and helps build interpersonal relationships.

Self-awareness is the recognition of one's own character, strengths, areas of growth, beliefs, and values. Practising self-care through cleanliness, hygiene, physical activity, and a balanced diet builds this skill.

Schools help children learn social skills through sports, games, yoga, gymnastics, and group activities. They should maintain a positive environment where children can mingle with teachers and peers without fear, organise co-curricular activities, and include a games period every working day.

Teachers serve as mentors who set an example rather than lecture. They should ensure students eat properly, inculcate friendship among classmates, train students in life skills, and discourage vindictive attitudes, selfishness, and jealousy.

Parents and guardians are the prime teachers and caretakers. They form a 'safety network,' guide adolescents through advice, answer queries, encourage physical activity and balanced diet, and keep children away from addictive substances like tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.

Technology makes communication convenient through mobiles, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and email. However, excessive use of mobiles and TV reduces interaction time with others and makes a person socially withdrawn. Not all media information is reliable, so guidance from a trusted adult is advisable.

Students should build self-awareness through hygiene and exercise, avoid being blameful or judgmental, learn to identify and correct their mistakes, reconnect with old friendships, appreciate themselves and others without letting ego rule, and be respectful and tolerant towards people of different backgrounds.

Humans are social animals whose behaviour is based on social norms. Social health is important for all — men and women, young and old, educated and uneducated — because children who learn to become socially healthy remain so all their lives and can live harmoniously in society.

Around 10,000 years ago, primitive humans moved near rivers to grow food and began living together in societies. As human society progressed, individuals became part of peer groups, families, school classes, and communities. Social attributes based on interrelationships and teamwork remain essential, making social health a core need.

Organisations such as NCERT, SCERT, and DIET should periodically organise workshops, publish journals, and provide in-service training programmes on health issues including social health. Teacher training institutes should include social health topics in their curricula.

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