The Structure of Social Capital and Cultural Participation: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between cultural participation patterns and access to social resources, proxied by the position generator tool. In addition, it asks to what extent social networks are class-homogeneous (closed) depending on the configuration of cultural practices. The survey results show that participation in highbrow culture is a more relevant predictor of access to higher prestige contacts than participation in popular culture. Both styles are related with the general volume of contacts and the heterogeneity of social resources. Moreover, the analysis indicates that the structure of social capital (i.e., the proportion of contacts with upper-, middle-, and lower-class members) is connected with pursuing different cultural profiles. The effect of network homogeneity is stronger for highbrow style than for any other style. The results are interpreted in terms of social closure and the role that culture plays in monopolizing access to social resources and maintaining social boundaries.