Social Capital: Similarities and Differences Between Future Educators and Urban Youth Leaders

ABSTRACT

This study examines differences in social capital between two demographically disparate groups: future education professionals and youth leaders living in urban communities. This is important because there is growing scholarly evidence of a positive relationship between social capital and student achievement. Social capital, defined as a constellation of privileges, is parallel to “the concepts of financial capital, physical capital, and human capital—but embodied in relations among persons” (Coleman, 1988). The impact of the varying access to social capital and its attendant resources may have profound implications on the interactions within the classroom; thus, this study measured this construct in a sample of students in education preparation programs (n = 145) and a sample of youth leaders living in urban communities (n = 119). There were significant differences between groups in: community participation, value of life, and feelings of trust and safety. Educational and consultative strategies to develop cultural competence and diversity sensitivity are discussed, with a particular focus on training future school professionals.

KEYWORDS:

• Social capital
• educators
• youth development
• urban schools

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance provided by Angela Couse.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Melissa M. Pearrow

Melissa M. Pearrow, PhD, is in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Julia Zoino-Jeannetti

Julia Zoino-Jeannetti, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Education Department Chair at Framingham State University.

Takuya Minami

Takuya Minami, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Counseling Psychology and Chair of the Department of Counseling and School Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Note: The authors report that to the best of their knowledge neither they nor their affiliated institutions have financial or personal relationships or affiliations that could influence or bias the opinions, decisions, or work presented in this manuscript.