International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Gendering Cultural Capital: Education and the Reproduction of Social Inequality in India

Gender inequality in education is still relevant in regards to opportunities and social mobility pattern in Indian society. Even though education is generally seen to be a medium that facilitates upward mobility, the availability of the cultural resources that facilitate the utilization of education establishments is not evenly distributed between the genders. Based on the idea of cultural capital formulated by Pierre Bourdieu, the paper attempts to provide a sociological discussion on gendered socialization and patriarchal modes of action which influence the construction of cultural capital among women. Cultural capital which is manifested in linguistic proficiency, educational orientation, cultural knowledge and institutional acknowledgement is central in helping people to negotiate the educational system and acquire social mobility. However, the lack of access to such types of capital is often hindered by capitalistic family set-ups and gendered expectations of women. Women, therefore, may face the challenge of translating their education success into social mobility that is significant. Through these relationships, the paper highlights how access to cultural capital inequalities perpetuates gender inequalities in the modern Indian society.