Social Reproduction in Society

1000 Words2 Pages

Social reproduction is the reproduction of cultural, human, and social capital in society. Therefore languages, traditions, cultural values, education, food security, and social circles are passed down from one generation to the next through Karl Mannheim’s concept of “fresh contact” and through society as a whole. Social reproduction is effective when social structures and equality within society are maintained. Inequality, poverty, and social changes that force society to adapt can impede the process of social reproduction causing what is known as a “crisis in social reproduction” (Wells, 2009). Born into Brothels demonstrates a crisis of social reproduction that negatively impacts the lives of children living in Sonagachi as a result of globalization, neoliberal policies, poverty, lack of adequate education and social structures to pass down capital, and the stigma of prostitution. Additionally, it shows the need for children to make economic contributions to their families that prevent them from leaving the brothel. The globalization of ideas and policies has consequences that hinder social reproduction. The effects of globalized neoliberal policies are apparent in Sonagachi. Neoliberal policies influence free market economies, individualism, and privatization, which contradict previous existing structures in their society. Dominant cultures view poverty as a result of weak government that can be fixed by neoliberal policies. International organizations such as the World Bank pressure less developed countries to implement market economies, which privatizes the family and reverses social policies that citizens rely on. The lack of social policies and government assistance force children into the working sphere to help provid... ... middle of paper ... ...eproduce norms of poverty and inequality. The need for the children to work has a major influence on the opportunities and norms that are reproduced. The norms and financial situations of the families created barriers for Briski’s method of saving the children based on the neoliberal universal childhood. The effects of globalization and neoliberal policies created inequality and poverty for Sonagachi that influenced a crisis in social reproduction. Works Cited Jeffrey, C.. "Geographies of children and youth II: Global youth agency." Progress in Human Geography 36.2 (2012): 245-253. Print. Wells, Karen C.. "Children and youth at war." Childhood in a global perspective. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, 2009. 152. Print. Wells, Karen C.. "rescuing children and children's rights." Childhood in a global perspective. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, 2009. 168-169. Print.

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