Bourdieu’s “cultural capital” and its explanation for the equality of opportunity in education

• Main Authors: Hung-Ju Hsu, 許宏儒
• Other Authors: Yung-Ming Shu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/19317700980720821544

碩士 === 國立新竹教育大學 === 國民教育研究所 === 93 === Abstract This dissertation is written in the light of the thought of Bourdieu’ s cultural capital on equality of educational opportunity. At first, cultural capital presupposes an element of economy and takes emphasis on the significance of culture. Secondly, the concept of cultural capital can point out that the main-stream culture does not have absolute legitimacy. Finally, the concept of cultural capital is able to go deep into the process of class reproduction from family to school. After studying extensively Bourdieu’ s French original work, this dissertation argues that cultural capital can combine the models of 「SES」and「cultural deprivation」which the academies of education in Taiwan usually use to research the issue of equality of educational opportunity. Furthermore, cultural capital can also points out the limit of 「SES」and 「cultural deprivation」 when they are taken to investigate the issue of equality of educational opportunity. This investigation suggests that the concept of cultural capital is more powerful on this issue. According to this study, there are some suggestions as follows: cultural capital is a new point of view on the issue of equality of educational opportunity; as regards the low class, the authorities of education should take emphasis on cultivating their cultural capital; teachers should value multiple-culture and educate more actively to those who fail in the school; the parents and the children of the low class should pay more attention on the cultivation of the cultural capital; one must pay attention and reflect on the cultural centrism of examinations; using more empirical data to verify the validity of Bourdieu’ s cultural capital on the issue of equality of educational opportunity in Taiwan.