Cultural and social capital refers to the collection of knowledge, skills, behaviors, and networks that individuals possess or have access to due to their socialization and environment. It is important to acknowledge that cultural and social capital are not equally distributed among individuals, but rather depend on a range of factors such as upbringing, education, income, race, gender, and social status.
When thinking about the extent of our cultural and social capital, we need to take into consideration our background, experiences, and opportunities. For example, if we were raised in a family that valued education and provided us with the necessary resources to succeed in school, we may have higher cultural capital than someone who grew up in a family where education was not a priority or was not affordable. Similarly, if we were raised in a community that had access to resources such as healthcare, quality education, and safe neighborhoods, we may have higher social capital than someone who grew up in a disadvantaged community with limited access to such resources.
In addition to our upbringing, our advantages and disadvantages can also affect the extent of our cultural and social capital. Advantages such as economic resources, social connections, and access to education can contribute to our cultural and social capital, while disadvantages such as discrimination, poverty, and lack of opportunities can limit it.
In summary, understanding the extent of our cultural and social capital requires us to examine our upbringing, advantages, and disadvantages. By recognizing the ways in which these factors have shaped our knowledge, skills, behaviors, and networks, we can better understand our position in society and work towards bridging the gaps in cultural and social capital that exist between different groups.
For example, you could talk about your upbringing and how it advantaged/disadvantaged you. Were you born into a wealthy family? if not, that was an unearned advantage, whilst if you were born, say, middle class and worked your way to the top, that would be an earned advantage.