[k] Key Point Jonathan Trinidad, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate Department of Sociology New York State University at Buffalo Michael Farrell, Ph.D., Department.
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[k] Key Point
Jonathan Trinidad, M.A., Ph.D. CandidateDepartment of SociologyNew York State University at Buffalo
Michael Farrell, Ph.D., Department ChairDepartment of SociologyNew York State University at Buffalo
[1] Introduction • [2] Human capital • [3] Social capital • [4] Comparing human and social capital • [5] Adolescent development • [6] Research examples • [7] Case scenarios • [8] Cultural capital
Multiple forms of capital • Defining human capital • Alternative definitions of human capital • Measuring human capital • Comparing human capital • Moving on
Multiple Forms of CapitalDistinguishing between forms
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The word, “capital,” is used repeatedly in current research. As Schuller
reports, “the list of different types of capital is growing fast: to natural, physical and financial capitals are added organizational, intellectual, environmental and many more.” Schuller (90)
Human capital varies between individuals. Some people are more educated. Some people have better skills. Whether we know it or not, we frequently make judgments about others’ human capital. Consider the following Example.
Defining social capital • A second definition of social capital • Alternative definitions of social capital • Building social capital • Mapping social capital • Measuring social capital • The importance of civic engagements • Why does social capital work? • Information flow • Illustrating information flow • Influence • Illustrating Influence • Social credentials • Illustrating social credentials • Reinforcing identity • Illustrating reinforcing identity
Two definitions of social capital frequently appear in the research. The first definition was popularized by Coleman. According to Coleman,
social capital of the family is strength of the relationships between children and parents. Coleman (1988); Mitchell (1994:653); Qian & Blair (1999:606)
“A child may have a talented and highly educated parent and thus be
genetically endowed with great potential…, but interactions with that parent are needed to convey encouragement and expectations…” Bianchi & Robinson (1997:333)
Make a list or a diagram mapping out your social network. What social relations are important to you? Why? What resources are made available because of your network? What resources do you provide in
Social CredentialsWhy social capital works: Reason 3
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Social capital works because others are aware of your social credentials or your accessibility to resources through social networks. Others see you as a gatekeeper to specific resources.
What would happen if individuals failed to recognize paper money as a financial credit? How can we use this analogy to explain social credentials and social
Doctors, by virtue of their profession, are entitled to a certain level of income. But what else are they entitled to? Let’s consider how identities merit not only financial capital, but also social capital.
The key difference between human and social capital is that human capital focuses on individual agents versus social capital which focuses on relationships between agents and the networks they form. Schuller (2001:97)
The differences between human and social capital have been explained numerous ways. Some of the following references may make more sense to you than others.
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“In order to create well-being in children, financial and human capital
must be accompanied by social relationships that allow resources to be transmitted to and used by children.” Teachman et al. (1997:1356)
Schuller sums it best when he states, “individuals and their human capital are not discrete entities that exist separately form the rest of other social units.” Schuller (98)
Another way to illustrate the difference between human and social
capital is by comparing the resources of one versus the resources of many. Often times, a group of people can complete a task better and more efficient than one person alone.
Describe a time when a team of people were able to accomplish a goal no one person could do alone.
What kind of resources did you provide to the team? What kind of resources did your co-workers provide? Explain in your own words how this is an example of
How does social capital enhance the young adult transition?
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The young adult transition • The rise of the young adult transition • Not all transitions are equal • Rates of success • Social capital and the transition
The Young Adult TransitionMoving beyond adolescence
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The period of life between adolescence and adulthood has often been
referred to as the young adult transition. It is a particularly volatile time for development whereby individuals learn to balance freedom and responsibility.
Cumulatively, these factors – Continued education, non-family living, and delay of marriage and childbirth – result in a prolonged period of transition from child to adult.
Rates of SuccessSuccessful transition varies by race
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Research suggests the ease and success of the young adult transition varies by race and ethnicity. Hardships during adolescent development may account for future socio-economic status discrepancies along racial and ethnic lines as young people transition into paid work.
Social Capital and the TransitionEnhancing the transition
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To explain the racial and ethnic differences in the young adult transition, some scholars have pointed to social capital. Social capital, it is argued, can affect the timing and preparedness of adolescents transitioning into adulthood.
Social capital varies by race • Social capital is lower in single parent homes • The impact of low parental social capital on children • Success despite low human and financial capital • Community as social capital
(1) Social Capital Varies by RaceMinorities are at a disadvantage
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Social capital is not equal between races. Most research indicates blacks have lower social capital than whites. This discrepancy has profound impacts on black children undergoing the young adult transition.
Social capital is related to socio-economic status. To the extent that blacks have lower socio-economic status than do whites, they are likely to have less social capital, resulting in fewer educational advantages.” Hallinan (2001:56)
The structure of the family has been argued as a form of social capital. As a form of social capital, family structure can influence the rate of high-risk, early home-leaving.
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“This relation between family structure and achievement has profound
consequences for the racial gap, since black students are nearly twice as likely as white students to live in nontraditional households.” Roscigno
(3) The Impact of Low Parental Social Capital on Children
When parents can’t provide
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Children are the beneficiaries of their parent’s social capital. When parents have high social capital, those resources can be passed along to their children. Conversely, when parents have low social capital, children are often deprived of important resources.
Baker and Stevenson illustrate the importance of social capital. Although economic capital does play an important role in a child’s academic success, a parent’s ability to be informed and integrated in the school system is also important.
“The most cruel aspect of discrimination and disadvantage lies in the ability to deprive the individual of that competence which is essential to effective functioning once the formal barriers to free competition have been breached.” Inkeles (1966:65)
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Again, the lack of parent’s social capital has a profound impact on children’s development, especially in the school environment.
“It is likely that African-American and Hispanic parents who encourage their children to move ahead give enough attention to their children
despite the deficiency of human and financial capital. It is one of the cultural strategies that minorities design to increase their children’s school success.” Qian & Blair (1999:622)
Good news. “Social capital outside of the family can compensate, at least in part, for a lack of social capital within the family.” Mitchell (1994:666)
AgathaAt 16 she wants move out and have her own child
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Agatha is 16 years old and wants to begin working in the “real world.” Although she is intelligent and has the potential to excel in school, her grades are mediocre, mostly due to poor attendance and lack of
motivation. Agatha can’t understand the point of an education and would rather drop out and begin working full time.
Agatha is the oldest of four children and lives with her mom in a low
income community. Her mother is on welfare and rarely leaves the house. She has never met her father or any other members of her extended family.
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Ultimately, Agatha is eager to be independent and knows she wants to become a mother but not a wife. She believes finding a part-time job will be the first step towards becoming an adult.
Noah’s parents are both college educated and are well respected in the community. The father is a county lawyer and the mother is a surgeon at the local hospital. Both work full time so money is not an issue, hence the personal tutor and after-school classes. “We can’t always be there for Noah, so we provide him with the best alternatives
He has everything he could ever need or want available to him.”
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Noah is an only child and is anti-social at school.
Her mother died before Ursula became a teenager and her father works two full-time jobs to make ends meet. He’s a plumber and cab driver.
As a result, Ursula was raised by her brothers and sisters, and aunts and uncles. “We live paycheck to paycheck so my family has learned to be there for each other. I have a big extended family and we always manage to make things work… somehow.”
Academically, Ursula is a B- student. She studies when she has to, but is more interested in learning from her family. “My family teaches me things I don’t learn in school like how cook or how to speak to a boss. Those kinds of things.”
Ursula’s school counselors like her very much because she’s very polite and can carry an entertaining conversation forever. However, they’re worried Ursula isn’t serious enough about going to college. “They don’t think I have enough money or book smarts to get accepted. But I’m not worried. I’m friends with all my teachers and they’re willing to write me excellent references letters. Plus, one of my aunts has already been talking to her boss about hiring me. If I don’t get into college, I’ll work with my aunt.”
Cultural capital is a separate but important form of capital. It refers to,
“the credentials and cultural assets embodied in individuals and their families. It is used to explain the reproduction of social hierarchy, as elite families endow their children with the cultural capital which enables them to succeed in maintaining their elite position.” Schuller (2001:91).