Work, age and gender

Domestic care work, such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for children or older people, is not only a woman’s responsibility. When an adolescent boy learns these skills, it challenges gender stereotypes and promotes a more equal sharing of responsibilities in the family. Option B is incorrect because learning a skill does not free someone from responsibility; it prepares them to share it. Exam tip: Link care work with life skills and gender equality in such questions.

Age diversity can increase both learning and innovation. In exams treat diversity as an asset.

Safety does not mean stopping opportunity but creating safe systems. In exams write safe access.

Paternity leave enables fathers to participate in newborn care and household responsibilities. It challenges the gender stereotype that care work is only a mother’s duty and encourages a more equal sharing of responsibilities between parents. Option B is the opposite because it assigns child care only to women. Exam tip: Link paternity leave with gender equality and shared care work.

Continuous heavy labour can be risky for older persons health. In exams write age-appropriate work.

The working woman should have control over her income. In exams write economic decision power.

Work pressure, long hours, unsafe conditions, discrimination and job insecurity can affect mental health. Adolescents, young adults, middle-aged workers and older workers may experience these conditions differently because of their age, responsibilities and experience. Therefore, mental health must be included when discussing work and age. Option C is incorrect because work-related stress is not experienced equally by every age group. Exam tip: Link working conditions, age-specific needs and mental well-being in your answer.

Entrepreneurship needs resources and support along with skill. In exams write holistic support.

Older members provide many non-monetary and social contributions. In exams write active ageing.

Gender-neutral skill testing evaluates an employee or applicant on knowledge, competence, performance and ability, rather than gender. Therefore, option A is correct. Options B, C and D promote gender-based discrimination and oppose fair selection. Exam tip: ‘Gender-neutral’ means assessing merit using the same criteria for everyone.

Youth unemployment can change family economic and social responsibilities. In exams write family livelihood link.

During pregnancy both safety and employment should be protected. In exams write maternity protection.

Sharing care work reduces burden on women and elders. In exams write work redistribution.

A complaint system creates a safe and fair workplace. In exams write institutional safety.

Career guidance should be based on ability not stereotype. In exams write equal opportunity.

Respectful behaviour accepts both experience and dignity. In exams write dignity of work.

Shared household responsibility gives women time for paid work. In exams write unpaid work burden.

Recruitment may provide an entry opportunity, but real gender equality must continue throughout a person's working life. It includes equal pay, fair promotion opportunities, protection from discrimination and harassment, and support for caring responsibilities. Training alone is not enough because workplace policies on pay, promotion, and safety are also essential. Exam tip: Link gender equality with entry, pay, advancement, safety, and work-life support.

Assuming that a senior employee is weak and unfit solely because of age, without assessing actual ability, health, or performance, is a negative age-based stereotype. Option A generally recognises experience positively, while C and D refer to appropriate training and safety support. Exam tip: Identify age bias when a judgement is made only from a person's age without evaluating individual capability.

Education can become the basis of girls economic independence. In exams write education livelihood link.