ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Social reproduction

Social reproduction is a big fancy term that means how we make sure that the things we need to live, like food, homes, and clothes, keep getting made and passed down from generation to generation. Think of it like taking care of a garden. We need to plant the seeds, water them, and make sure the soil is good, so that the plants can grow strong and provide us with fruits and vegetables.

In the same way, we need to make sure that people have the things they need to live happy and healthy lives. This means making sure that kids can go to school to learn and grow, that there are hospitals and doctors to take care of us when we are sick, and that there are people who work to make the things we need like food, clothes, and houses.

Sometimes, though, some people don't have access to the things they need to live a good life. Maybe they don't have enough money to go to school or to buy healthy food, or maybe where they live doesn't have good hospitals or doctors. This is called inequality, and it's something we need to work to fix so that everyone can have the things they need to live a good life.

Social reproduction is all about making sure that everyone, no matter where they were born or how much money they have, has access to the things they need to live a happy and healthy life.