Question Number One:Has the world always been like this, and I am just now realizing it? Or is it truly becoming a stranger place?
At 22, in the early stages of adulthood, I find myself grappling with this question repeatedly. The world, or rather the way people and societies function, seems increasingly interesting and strange to me. I hesitate to call it bad—because it’s not all bad—but strange feels like the most fitting word.
One recurring theme in my life is the ongoing struggle to figure out which group of people I belong to. And for those who deny the existence of societal groups, let me say one thing: Grow the f*ck up. Because whether we acknowledge it or not, certain groups naturally form over time, and we are, to some extent, predisposed to end up in one or another.
However, these groups are not as simple as they seem. They take different shapes and forms, influenced by various factors, many of which stem from what sociologist Pierre Bourdieu called capital theory—a framework that helps us understand the advantages and disadvantages individuals have in society.
Understanding Capital Theory Pierre Bourdieu
Bourdieu defined four main types of capital that shape our social standing and opportunities:
Economic Capital: This refers to money, wealth, income, and material assets.
Cultural Capital: Exists in three forms:
Embodied Cultural Capital: Knowledge, education, language, habits.
Objectified Cultural Capital: Physical objects representing culture, such as books, artworks, or instruments.
Institutionalized Cultural Capital: Degrees, qualifications, and diplomas.
Social Capital: Networks, relationships, and social connections. Sometimes, success is not about what you know but who you know.
Symbolic Capital: Prestige, recognition, and social honor, which can vary depending on society and context.
These forms of capital provide advantages in life and can be transferred between one another. For example, a high economic capital allows someone to join exclusive clubs, boosting their social capital, or to pay for higher education, increasing their cultural capital.
How Capital Influences Social GroupsPeople naturally tend to associate with others who have similar capital.
To illustrate this, let’s look at two fictional students in Germany:
Johannes and Sinem
- Johannes’ father is German, and his mother is Italian.
- Sinem’s mother is German, and her father is Turkish.
- They attend the same school.
- Johannes plays tennis and skis.
- Sinem enjoys boxing and plays the Baglama.
- Johannes’ father is wealthy, and he socializes with his father’s affluent friends.
- Sinem’s family is financially struggling, and she primarily socializes at school and in the park.
Based on their backgrounds, Johannes and Sinem possess different forms of capital:
Johannes: High economic and social capital, cultural capital in the form of a German education, fluency in German and Italian, and familiarity with skiing and football.
Sinem: Lower economic and social capital, but a diverse cultural capital—fluent in German and Turkish, skilled in boxing, and able to play the Baglama.
Despite attending the same school, Johannes and Sinem will likely end up in different social circles.
The Role of Cultural Capital and Social Inequality
One of the most significant disparities between them lies in cultural capital and social biases. Gender inequality and ethnic prejudice remain pervasive in Germany. Sinem will have to work much harder than Johannes—not only because she comes from a less privileged economic background but also because of her Turkish name, appearance, and gender.
In many ways, our capital determines our social trajectory, shaping our opportunities, struggles, and affiliations. While we are not entirely powerless in shaping our future, acknowledging these invisible structures helps us better navigate them—and perhaps even challenge them.
So, to answer the original question: Has the world always been this way? Probably. But as we grow older, we begin to see it for what it is and can maybe navigate our way differently.
Blanc- Space 