An application of Bourdieu’s theory of practice into an under-explored area

Azaola, Marta Cristina (2006) An application of Bourdieu’s theory of practice into an under-explored area. Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Research Methods Festival, Oxford, United Kingdom. 16 - 19 Jul 2006.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

This paper draws upon ongoing doctorate research that seek to understand how financially disadvantaged families in a Mexican rural community become involved in education. Drawing on Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice, the study analyses whether the community’s social and institutional organisation helped or restricted parents to participate in their own, their children’s and youngsters’ formal and informal education. The paper analyses the effects of the community’s rural location on participants’ social organisation and identity. It also explains why, as a consequence of their location, the schooling provision in the community was different from that of urban ‘mainstream’ schools. It finally reports on the role played by informal education especially with respect to teenagers’ occupational choices. The findings here discussed provide evidence of the gender inequalities operating both at community and school levels; the importance that literacy and numeracy had for participants; parents’ perception of the community school, and the effects of the location of the community on youngsters’ trajectories.

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