The role of cultural capital in life transitions among young intra-EU movers in Germany

Abstract

The concepts of human and cultural capital represent two approaches for analysing the processes related to the accumulation and use of educational resources that are valuable for young movers. Many studies on youth mobility employing these approaches often do not sufficiently consider the existing barriers to cultural capital in different moments of life. This paper aims to scrutinise theses dynamics related to social inequalities in the accumulation of cultural capital (i.e. school to university transitions), and in the use of cultural stocks (i.e. university to work shift) among young intra-EU movers in Germany. Drawing on qualitative data, our empirical discussion shows that informal cultural capital gains are crucial for both types of life transitions but can be particularly challenging for some newcomers. For those who are transitioning from school to university, informal learning is relevant in the acquisition of cultural capital, and among those who are changing to the work life, informal learning is relevant for the adequate use of existing capital stocks during the labour market integration. We conclude that life transitions among young EU movers can involve particular types of risks and (symbolic) barriers, portraying a differentiated picture of social inequalities in the European Union.