The perpetuation of inequalities through social institutions is described by which concept?

• A. Latent Learning
• B. Cultural Relativism
• C. Social Reproduction
• D. Institutional Discrimination

Answer: (C)

Social reproduction is the idea that social and economic inequalities are passed down from one generation to the next through the way our institutions are organized. In education, families with more resources can provide better schools, tutoring, and networks that help with college admission, which keeps children in similar socio-economic positions as their parents. Cultural capital—the familiar language, tastes, and behaviors valued by the dominant culture—helps those with resources navigate schools and the job market more easily, reinforcing advantages. Family background shapes expectations and opportunities, influencing pathways into work and wealth, so the unequal status quo tends to persist over time because the structures themselves favor certain groups.

Latent learning isn’t about transmitting inequality through social structures; it’s about knowledge acquired without immediate reinforcement. Cultural Relativism is about respecting and evaluating cultures on their own terms. Institutional Discrimination describes biased policies within organizations, which contributes to inequality but doesn’t by itself capture the ongoing transmission of advantage or disadvantage across generations through institutions.