Pluralizing social reproduction approaches

Abstract

The concept of social reproduction (SR) has gained renewed interest in the past decade. Discussed and elaborated by generations of feminists, the concept offers a rejection of productivism and the possibility of (re)telling the history of capitalism and its contemporary dynamics through the work and practices of “life making.” Yet, it is undeniable that much of the “old” and “new” theorizing around SR comes predominantly from the Global North. Hence, we argue, a pluralizing of SR approaches (SRAs) is needed. This article draws on existing debates on SR to pluralize their theoretical premises, disciplinary boundaries, and empirical reach to suggest a global progressive agenda centered on SRAs that is able to speak to the challenges and complexities of processes of life making worldwide. Foregrounding such complexity, the article considers conceptual issues, argues that location is central to pluralizing SRAs, and discusses the associated methodological and political questions. We conclude that pluralizing SRAs through paying attention to location is the first step toward identifying the multiple and heterogeneous ways in which processes of SR are structured and operate under capitalism and toward developing solidarities able to challenge the oppressions of global capitalism and reclaim life-making activities and spaces.

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