Filling up silences—first in family students, capital and university talk in the home

Abstract

Internationally, research has indicated that returning to education for older learners provides the means for growth and change, for some students this can translate into a sense of ‘empowerment’ and control in their personal lives. However, what is not so well researched is how having a significant ‘other’ present within the university landscape impacts the household and other family members. Exploring how this return to education influences others provides a basis for institutional approaches to engaging with and supporting the lifelong learning of family members, ultimately assisting in the access and participation of current and future generations. This article draws on research conducted with first in family students to explore how their participation in the higher education environment led to conversations in the family around learning. Drawing upon theories of social and cultural capital, this article reflects upon the flow of capitals between home and university.

Keywords:

• higher education participation
• cultural and social capitals
• intergenerational educational mobility
• first in family students

Additional information

Funding

Funding. This work was supported by the University of Wollongong’s Educational Strategies Development Fund (2013).

Notes on contributors

Sarah O’Shea

Sarah O’Shea is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Her research interests include higher education access and participation, educational inclusion and student equity issues. Correspondence: Sarah O’Shea, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Building 67, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong 2533, Australia.