the act of causing something to continue, especially something harmful, or the fact of something harmful continuing

The lack of military action from other countries has contributed to the perpetuation of the civil war. 由于其他国家没有采取军事行动，导致内战长期存在。

The person who is telling the joke is being active in the perpetuation of racial stereotypes. 讲这个笑话的人就是在积极延续种族成见。