In The Forms of Capital, Pierre Bourdieu explains, “It is in fact impossible to account for the structure and functioning of the social world unless one reintroduces capital in all its forms and not solely in one form recognized by economic theory” (Bourdieu, 1986). He identifies capital as something that can take an objectified or embodied form, takes time to accumulate,and  has the potential “to produce profits and to reproduce itself in identical or expanded form” (Bourdieu, 1986). Perhaps most importantly, Bourdieu identifies capital as “a force inscribed in the objectivity of things so that everything is not equally possible or impossible” (Bourdieu, 1986). Bourdieu goes on to explain in detail the three forms of capital, economic, cultural, and social, and how they inter-relate. While all forms of capital can affect a student’s educational opportunity, social capital because of its strong ties to both economic and cultural capital has the capacity to greatly enhance or hinder a student’s educational opportunities. Continue reading →