Question

Provide definitions of social capital and cultural capital. Create a scenario in which social capital and cultural capital work together to help a student succeed. Create a different scenario in which social capital and cultural capital combine to diminish a student's chances of success.

Answer 1

• Social Capital
  • It includes economic resources that one gains from being part of a network of social relationships, including group membership.
• Cultural Capital
  • It includes non-economic resources that enable social mobility. Examples of cultural capital would include knowledge, skills, and education.

• Work together to enhance success
  • A student named ABC comes from a wealthy family. His/Her parents are Ivy League college alumni. ABC is a hardworking child and has excelled in school so far.
  • He did applied to an Ivy League college and go through the process. However, he did not receive a scholarship.
  • His parents used their capital - social and cultural and funded his education.
• Work together to diminish the success
  • A student named ABC comes from a poor family. His/Her parents are uneducated. ABC is a hardworking child and has excelled in school so far.
  • His parents had no social or cultural capital to use. He could not follow his ambitions and educate himself. He had to start earning for the family and keep his ambitions aside to gain social and cultural capital. He took the blue collared job that was offered to him.