Cultural capital is a terminology used in sociology to refer to non-economic assets that enhance social mobility. For instance, education, intelligence, lifestyle, dressing code, and beauty, are all forms of cultural capital. French sociologist referred to as Pierre Bourdieu coined the concept in reference to the behavior of children under the age of fifteen. Cultural capital differentiates people in society because those believed to be in a similar social class will always relate and interact freely. Cultural capital is closely related to Bourdieu’s works on habitus. Cultural capital suggests that groups are always in constant struggle for scarce resources in society, including cultural resources.
In my school, various categories of students identify themselves with certain cultures. Those who view themselves as academic giants tend to form close links. This implies that they form strong relationships in school based on the culture of reading. They tend to discriminate other students because they believe that other students have nothing special to offer. Within each social class, there is a habitus meaning that each class has a system of choices.
These systems of choices are often passed from one student to the other. It is expected that a new member of the group would behave the same as other members after a very short period. After a few months, the group would be seen to be different from other groups in terms preferences. This means that the group would tend to have something in common in terms of culture. It is evident that groups have different tastes, depending on cultural practices, education, and financial capabilities. Cultural practices influence members of groups to adopt certain values and preferences. In my school, the less privileged tend to admire the high culture, but they do not have the means of attaining the superior culture.
The behavior of students in school is compared to the findings of Bourdieu who conducted an extensive study on members belonging to a low culture in Europe. He found out that those with low cultures complained because the social structure never favored them. Members from a culture appreciated the fact that the works of art represent class and prestige in society. However, they could not acquire the works of art because of insufficient capital.
In this regard, the type of cultural capital exhibited by students in my school is objectified. This was the same case with members of the low culture in Europe, as was noted by Bourdieu. However, students from low classes are encouraged by the fact that education would help them climb the social ladder meaning that they will one day achieve higher statuses. This explains why students form relationships based on academic capacities.
Those forming relationships based on economic strengths come from rich families while those forming relationships based on academic capabilities are children from poor families. Social classes rarely mingle because their cultures differ in a number of ways. For instance, students from poor families cannot afford to take their meals from expensive restaurants. They simply rely on fast selling shops while those from rich families visit expensive restaurants.
Cultural capital is passed from one generation to the other. Children from rich families have higher chances of becoming rich in society because their parents could simply allow them to inherit property. Those from poor families will never be allowed to access property in society because the rich will always erect barriers to prevent them from excelling. Even though it is claimed that the poor can access higher statuses through education, the rich will always ensure that the educated individuals are paid poorly.
The case of members with low culture, as observed by Bourdieu, serves as an example. Members of the low culture might be educated individuals yet they are unable to acquire the works of art, which represent status. In this regard, members of the low culture would simply choose to acquire cheap reprints of the original products to satisfy their needs. In my school, students from poor families are optimistic that the education system will one day reward them by allowing them to earn high salaries. This would definitely allow them to access high cultures. However, they are unaware that the bourgeoisie in society will never allow this to happen.
According to the conflict theory, the two groups of students are in disagreement over the way resources are supposed to be distributed in society. The rich students observe that the social structure should be left the way it is meaning the status quo should not be interrupted. Students from poor families note that the social structure should be revised to reflect the interests of all groups. Marx observed that each class in society has its own interests. The interest of the bourgeoisie is to maintain the status quo while the interest of the proletariat is to fight for space in society. This forms tension in society since each class aims at achieving its own interests.
For the rich, they erect barriers that would prevent the poor from accessing high culture. The poor class on the other hand is always working hard to overthrow the status quo. Marx noted that the poor would one day take over the management of affairs in society through a revolution. According to Marx, only a revolution would salvage the unfortunate from great poverty.
From the above analysis, cultural capital differentiates society. Cultural capital enhances stratification that is based on education and financial capability. Individuals sharing a similar culture form relationships.