Cultural Capital and Parental Involvement: A Comparison of Students' Music Participation between Beijing and Hong Kong

This book explores how students in Beijing and Hong Kong perceive parental influences, such as cultural capital and support, on their participation in musical activities. It finds that inequality in parental cultural capital governs parents' support and influences the intergenerational transmission of cultural capital, contributing to inequality in students' cultural capital.

Format: Hardback
Length: 163 pages
Publication date: 14 January 2023
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This book employs Pierre Bourdieu's cultural capital model as a theoretical framework to investigate how students in Beijing and Hong Kong perceive parental influences, encompassing their parents' cultural capital and support, on their engagement in musical activities. Through the comprehensive examination of students' perceptions of their parents' cultural capital and support for their musical pursuits, this book seeks to reexamine the applicability of Bourdieu's cultural capital model in the contemporary Chinese context. It uncovers the profound impact of inequality in parental cultural capital on parents' support and its influence on the intergenerational transmission of cultural capital, ultimately contributing to disparities in students' cultural capital accumulation.

The study conducted in this book sheds light on the complex dynamics between parental influences, cultural capital, and students' participation in musical activities in Beijing and Hong Kong. By examining the perceptions of students regarding their parents' cultural capital and support, the book provides valuable insights into the ways in which social hierarchies and power relations shape individuals' opportunities and access to cultural resources.

The findings of the study reveal that parental cultural capital plays a significant role in shaping students' participation in musical activities. Students from families with higher levels of cultural capital, such as exposure to art, music, and cultural institutions, are more likely to engage in musical activities and develop a deeper appreciation for music. Conversely, students from families with lower levels of cultural capital may face barriers to participation, such as limited access to musical instruments or resources, and may be less likely to develop a strong interest in music.

Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of parental support in promoting students' participation in musical activities. Parents who actively engage in musical activities themselves, provide their children with musical instruments or lessons, and attend concerts or music events are more likely to encourage their children to pursue musical interests. Conversely, parents who are less involved in musical activities may be less likely to provide their children with the necessary support and encouragement to participate in musical activities.

The findings of this book have important implications for education policymakers and educators in China. By recognizing the role of parental cultural capital in shaping students' participation in musical activities, educators can develop strategies to address inequality in cultural capital and promote greater access to musical resources for all students. This may involve providing music education programs in schools, offering financial assistance to families in need, and promoting parental involvement in musical activities.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the study of cultural capital and its implications for education in China. By employing Bourdieu's cultural capital model as a framework, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of how students in Beijing and Hong Kong perceive parental influences on their participation in musical activities. The findings of the study shed light on the complex dynamics between parental cultural capital, support, and students' cultural capital accumulation, and have important implications for education policymakers and educators in China.

Weight: 442g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811990311
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023