Final answer:
The term for transmitting historical oppression across generations is 'Intergenerational trauma', describing how catastrophic events affect descendants' emotional and psychological health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe the transmission of historical oppression and its negative consequences across generations is C. Intergenerational trauma. This concept refers to the psychological and social impacts inflicted on subsequent generations resulting from catastrophic events that have been experienced by an earlier generation. The impacts are substantial, leading to profound effects that can influence the emotional and psychological well-being of descendants long after the original trauma has occurred.
Intergenerational trauma can be understood through various frameworks, such as that of intersectionality, which examines how various factors like race, class, gender, and sexuality can interplay and affect one’s experience of oppression. The concept embodies the recurring patterns of adversity faced by groups who have endured long periods of collective subjugation, such as those seen in colonization, slavery, and other forms of systemic disparity.
Historically, societies have struggled with the repercussions of these traumas, which can manifest as enduring interpersonal inequalities and societal issues that impact multiple generations. The perpetuation of these traumas, often reinforced by institutions, is a key aspect of social studies discussions surrounding culture, historical events, and their persistent influence on present-day society.