How Far Could Poor Rural Students Access Elite Universities in China? – A Discussion Based On The Cultural Reproduction Theory

Conference: The Asian Conference on Education (ACE2022)
Title: How Far Could Poor Rural Students Access Elite Universities in China? – A Discussion Based On The Cultural Reproduction Theory
Stream: Education, Sustainability & Society: Social Justice, Development & Political Movements
Presentation Type: Virtual Presentation
Authors:
Wei Zheng, University College London, United Kingdom

Abstract:

The educational system seems to provide a level playing field and class leapfrogging pathway for lower-class students, because the evaluation criteria could be usually centered on academic performance. However, Bourdieu argued that lower-class children could have little access to cultural capital, so they tend to be at a competitive disadvantage including academic performance, and the social structure could be reproduced through the process of cultural reproduction. However, the cultural reproduction theory might not fully explain why there could still be some ‘exceptions’, the poor rural children who could enter elite schools in China. Recent studies explained the controversial situation through the perspective of the individual, family and government in China. Students from poor rural areas could take the initiative to approach cultural capital through various means, including schools and social media. Besides, families should value their children's education and activate the ‘bottom cultural capital’. In addition, the educational policy which aims to interrupt the influence of the family on education could affect the transmission of the upper class’s advantage between generations in China. Therefore, cultural reproduction theory could be partially applicable in China, but it could be more relevant if the elements of individual, family and government had been considered based on the Chinese context. Although poor rural students still face difficulties in entering elite universities, there could be chances for them to realize it by individual initiative, family support and policy protection.

Virtual Presentation

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