Social Capital And Lifelong Learning

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Social capital and lifelong learning are central to current policy concerns both in the UK and internationally. The British government and powerful international agencies, such as the World Bank, present investment in social capital as a way of promoting neighbourhood renewal, community health and educational achievement. This book confirms the significance of social capital as an analytical tool, while challenging the basis on which current policy is being developed. It: offers a wealth of evidence on a topic that has become central to contemporary government; provides a detailed empirical investigation of the relationship between social capital, knowledge creation and lifelong learning; relates the findings to wider policy debates; questions the dominant theoretical models of social capital; and confronts the assumption of many policy makers that the obvious solution to social problems is to 'invest in social capital'. The book is aimed at researchers in education, policy studies and urban studies, as well as those concerned with an understanding of contemporary policy concerns. It provides readers with a detailed analysis of relevant evidence, as well as a trenchant critique of current conceptual and policy preoccupations.

E-Book Content

SOCIAL CAPITAL AND LIFELONG LEARNING John Field i First published in Great Britain in June 2005 by The Policy Press University of Bristol Fourth Floor Beacon House Queen’s Road Bristol BS8 1QU UK Tel +44 (0)117 331 4054 Fax +44 (0)117 331 4093 e-mail [email protected] www.policypress.org.uk © John Field 2005 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been requested. ISBN 1 86134 655 7 paperback A hardcover version of this book is also available The right of John Field to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. All rights reserved: no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of The Policy Press. The statements and opinions contained within this publication are solely those of the author and not of The University of Bristol or The Policy Press. The University of Bristol and The Policy Press disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any material published in this publication. The Policy Press works to counter discrimination on grounds of gender, race, disability, age and sexuality. Cover design by Qube Design Associates, Bristol. Front cover: photograph supplied by kind permission of www.third-avenue.co.uk Printed and bound in Great Britain by Hobbs the Printers Ltd, Southampton. Contents List of tables and figures Acknowledgements iv vi Introduction 1 one two three four five Social connections and lifelong learning Networks, schooling and learning in adult life: interview evidence Social connections and adult learning: survey evidence Rethinking the relationship What next? References Index 9 35 81 101 133 157 171 iii Social capital and lifelong learning List of tables and figures Tables 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 iv Examinations achievements of pupils in schools in the UK (1993/94 and 2001/02) (%) Participation rate in higher education by domicile for selected age groups (2001-02) Percentage of young entrants from social classes IIIM, IV o