An article examined issues raised by the academic and political use of the concept of social capital, and its perceived value as a guide to policy – focusing on young people.
Source: Janet Holland, 'Young people and social capital: uses and abuses?', Young, Volume 17 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Nov
A paper examined the development of the social capital concept and its relationship with income inequalities. It highlighted the dangers of an 'overly culturalistic' vision that did not take into account the structural problems of society. It suggested a possible new way to look at the relationship between social capital and inequalities, providing a theoretical basis for new research.
Source: Emanuele Ferragina, A New Concept Generated from an Old Idea: Rethinking social capital in relation to income inequalities, Barnett Papers in Social Research 3/2009, Department of Social Policy and Social Work/University of Oxford (01865 270325)
Links: Paper
Date: 2009-Jul
An article examined the evidence for an association between area-level social capital and individual-level subjective health.
Source: John Snelgrove, Hynek Pikhartb and Mai Stafford, 'A multilevel analysis of social capital and self-rated health: evidence from the British Household Panel Survey', Social Science & Medicine Volume 68 Issue 11
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Jun
A journal special issue examined the links between social capital and women's support systems.
Source: New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, Volume 2009 Issue 122
Links: Table of contents
Date: 2009-Jun
An article examined the impact of the concept of social capital on the citizenship education initiative in England. Official policy was underpinned by a model of citizenship that emphasized the value of political participation by citizens and the extent to which this participation was reliant on community membership. This model implied an uncritical acceptance of neo-liberal economic orthodoxy, which necessarily undermined the community attachments that the citizenship education policy sought to promote.
Source: Ben Kisby, 'Social capital and citizenship lessons in England: analysing the presuppositions of citizenship education', Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, Volume 4 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Feb
An article examined the relationship between civic engagement, ethnic heterogeneity, and perceptions of mutual respect and social cohesion among citizens in urban local government areas across England. Statistical results suggested that associational life was positively associated with social capital, and that political participation enhanced perceptions of mutual respect in ethnically diverse areas. The evidence provided support for arguments that civic engagement could moderate negative externalities for social capital associated with ethnic heterogeneity.
Source: Rhys Andrews, 'Civic engagement, ethnic heterogeneity, and social capital in urban areas: evidence from England', Urban Affairs Review, Volume 44 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Jan
An article examined how the 'social capital' inherent in social networks could provide contacts through which older people accessed practical and emotional support; and the relative importance of kin and non-kin, and of participation in organizations and informal ties such as contacts with neighbours. Relatively poor support was found among elders who were childless or had been continuously without a partner; relatively rich support was found among those who had frequent contact with other people, who interacted frequently with neighbours, and who regarded their neighbourhood as a positive social environment. Among many different forms of organizational activity, the only ones that had a positive association with social support were being in contact with others through religious activities, and engaging in sports clubs.
Source: Anne Gray, 'The social capital of older people', Age and Ageing, Volume 29 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Jan
An article examined whether social capital fostered resilience among individuals who were at a high risk of developing mental distress in adulthood. Results suggested that social capital was not associated with a reduction in the probability that high-risk individuals would experience mental distress, while one form of social capital – membership in groups and associations – appeared to play a protective role among low-risk individuals. Overall, the research suggested that policies aimed at increasing social capital would not be able to reduce the gap in mental health between disadvantaged individuals and the rest of the population.
Source: Francesca Borgonovi and M. Carmen Huerta, 'Adversity in childhood and mental health in adulthood: the role of social capital', Social Policy and Society, Volume 8 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Jan
A survey found that 79 per cent of people felt that in their day-to-day lives they were generally treated by others with respect and consideration in public. Some groups were particularly likely to report encountering a lack of public respect and consideration – single people; younger people; people living in cities; people on lower incomes; and people in manual occupations.
Source: Elizabeth Clery and Janet Stockdale, 'Is Britain a respectful society?', in Alison Park, John Curtice, Katarina Thomson, Miranda Phillips and Elizabeth Clery (eds.), British Social Attitudes: The 25th Report, SAGE Publications Ltd (020 7324 8500)
Links: Summary | NatCen press release | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Jan