Congruent and Discordant Habitus

Abstract

This chapter explores the processes involved in being an academically successful boy at St. John’s, the secondary school. It considers the degree of fit or discordance between the boys’ habitus and that of the institution. For many of the boys in this school, there was a reasonable degree of congruence between their habitus and the institutional habitus. This is exemplified through the consideration of the story of Henry, who appeared to be a ‘fish in water’ and said that he was able to be who he wanted to be both inside and outside of school. However, not all boys find things so easy. The chapter also explores the cases of Brendy and Ollie, who, each in their own ways, have struggled with their dispositions.