The social capital of the family as a source of educational inequality

Abstract

When analyzing the factors that influence individuals' educational achievements, with a focus on the importance of their families, cultural and economic capital are frequently highlighted. Although they are unquestionably important, one additional aspect should not be overlooked: social capital. Individuals' educational chances are influenced by their families' connections with the community as well as their familial bonds. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate how a family's social capital can be a source of inequality in education. The paper presents and analyzes three theoretical approaches to social capital (Bourdieu's, Coleman's, and Patnam's), indicates how to approach the research of inequality in education from these perspectives, and points out which approaches are appropriate for the application of social capital from the perspective of families. Finally, the lines of (dis)continuity between these theories are highlighted, and the possibility of developing an integral approach to social capital in the educational context is examined by analyzing some attempts at such a synthesis.