Educated in privilege: Educational trajectories and social reproduction in Peruvian elites

Abstract

This article addresses the educational mechanisms that allow and even assure class reproduction and the production of elite's cadres in Peru. In analytical terms, it is framed in the studies of social classes and the school-mediated strategies for social reproduction. For this purpose, we use a qualitative approximation that combines in-depth interviews with the identification of educational trajectories of individuals from the largest firms of the country. We argue that besides the combination of familiar, academic and social supports, enrolling in elite institutions in basic education is a crucial component for guaranteeing social reproduction. These institutions do not only provide an essential basis for social closure but also grant symbolic, cultural and social advantages to its students. The benefits achieved, in turn, allow alumni to achieve privileged positions throughout their job career.