INVISIBLE INEQUALITIES IN ADULT SKILLS: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CULTURAL CAPITAL AND SKILLS IN PIAAC DATA

Burcu Türkkaş Anasiz, Saadet Kuru Çetin

Abstract


This study examines the relationship between individuals' cultural capital accumulation (number of books at home) and their cognitive skill levels in adulthood (literacy, numeracy, and problem solving) using PIAAC (Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies) data from the Turkish sample, within the framework of Pierre Bourdieu's theory of capital. It should be noted that this calculated index captures only a specific and important aspect of the concept of cultural capital and does not represent other forms, such as integrated or institutionalized capital. Assuming that skill inequalities stem from social reproduction mechanisms rather than individual failures, the study aims to discuss the deep inequalities in Turkey's socio-economic structure. The study's sample was taken from PIAAC data for Turkey (N=5,110, N=2,885). IDB Analyser and SPSS programs were used in the study's analysis. In the analyses, the cultural capital index was correlated with skill scores using Pearson correlation. The findings of the study revealed moderate to high positive correlations between the cultural capital index and the three skill domains. The correlations found in the study are consistent with Bourdieu's (1986) theoretical framework. Indeed, forms of cultural capital shape an individual's cognitive development in the long term, supporting the acquisition of skills such as literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving. Based on the results obtained from the study, future research could analyze longitudinal data (such as national cohort data) to examine individuals' skill development. Furthermore, future studies could examine the impact of cultural capital on subgroups by including variables such as gender, age, and migration status, thereby expanding Bourdieu's theory and integrating economic and social capital dimensions into research.

 

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PIAAC, cultural capital, Bourdieu's theory of capital

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v12i11.6390

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