Social Sciences

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11 pages, 238 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Parental Family Members as Brokers of Family Social Capital: Compensatory Time Use in India

by Melissa Alcaraz, Ashley Larsen Gibby and Nancy Luke

Soc. Sci. 2020, 9(12), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci9120217 - 26 Nov 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3065

Non-parental family members are understudied but important brokers of family social capital, especially in contexts without a nuclear-family norm. We used rich time diary data from a sample of 1568 South Indian adolescents to examine the relationships between any time spent with parents, [...] Read more.

Non-parental family members are understudied but important brokers of family social capital, especially in contexts without a nuclear-family norm. We used rich time diary data from a sample of 1568 South Indian adolescents to examine the relationships between any time spent with parents, parents’ residency status, and the time spent with non-parental family members. We found that adolescents with at least one non-resident parent spent significantly more time with siblings, on average, when compared to adolescents with resident parents. We further found that adolescents spent more time with siblings in educational activities, such as studying, when they had at least one non-resident parent. These findings point to the importance of considering non-parental family members in studies of family social capital, especially in low- and middle-income contexts. Our findings challenge resource dilution theories by demonstrating that siblings themselves act as resources, rather than simply competitors for parental resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Perspectives on Child and Adolescent Social Capital)

15 pages, 289 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Capital and Prosocial Behavior among German Children

by Helen Barton, Jared Thorpe and Mikaela Dufur

Soc. Sci. 2020, 9(11), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci9110215 - 23 Nov 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3263

Abstract

A robust literature connects children’s and adolescents’ social capital to a range of desirable outcomes, including increased academic achievement and decreased delinquency. We extend this research by extending possible associations with child social capital to positive behaviors, measured here as prosocial behaviors. We [...] Read more.

A robust literature connects children’s and adolescents’ social capital to a range of desirable outcomes, including increased academic achievement and decreased delinquency. We extend this research by extending possible associations with child social capital to positive behaviors, measured here as prosocial behaviors. We examine data on 6th graders in Germany. We select the German context in part because one important source of child social capital, participation in religious congregations, is not as prevalent in modern Germany as in the US samples from which many social capital studies are derived. We use data from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) and measures of child social capital, including parent–child interactions, family activities, and religious participation, to predict prosocial behavior. Results indicate that social capital in the form of parent-child interactions in the home and child religiosity is associated weakly with greater prosocial behavior. These results suggest that adults can help children develop stronger prosocial norms by increasing interaction with their children and by exposing their children to network ties in religious settings, but also that social capital can be derived different ways in different contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Perspectives on Child and Adolescent Social Capital)

9 pages, 225 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Connection between Social Capital and Sport Success of Young Tennis Players

by Dario Novak, Filip Svalina and Eva Anđela Delale

Soc. Sci. 2020, 9(11), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci9110206 - 14 Nov 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4457

Abstract

Young athletes are influenced by different physical, psychological, and social factors. Social factors significantly impact a young athlete’s growth. Parents, coaches, and schools are important factors in young athletes’ sports careers. Achieving sport success without their support would be a real challenge. Social [...] Read more.

Young athletes are influenced by different physical, psychological, and social factors. Social factors significantly impact a young athlete’s growth. Parents, coaches, and schools are important factors in young athletes’ sports careers. Achieving sport success without their support would be a real challenge. Social capital is a resource that comes from social relationships and social networks. It is a resource that impacts athletes and sports performance. The aim of this study was to determine the connection between social capital and competitive success in young tennis players. This research was conducted with participants of an ITF (International Tennis Federation) junior tournament in tennis. Research included 75 tournament players (N = 36 girls, age: 15.54 ± 1.29 years; N = 39 boys, age: 16.13 ± 0.98 years). Participants filled out a questionnaire which evaluated their social capital. Social capital predictors were significant predictors of sporting success (13.1% variance explained), which indicated that there is a moderate association between social capital indicators and sport success in young tennis players. Sports performance was higher with a higher degree of family and sports team social capital among girls. It was higher with a lower school social capital among boys. Intervention that leverages social capital might serve as an avenue for performance promotion in youth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Perspectives on Child and Adolescent Social Capital)

14 pages, 249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping the Cultural Identities of Youths in Hong Kong from a Social Capital Perspective

by Qiaobing Wu, Ying Ou and Lucy P. Jordan

Soc. Sci. 2020, 9(11), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci9110205 - 12 Nov 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4905

Abstract

With its unique geopolitical status and multicultural setting, Hong Kong has harbored different youth groups generated from cross-border migration with mainland China who are tied to different cultural values and identifications. This study aims to investigate how social capital embedded in the family, [...] Read more.

With its unique geopolitical status and multicultural setting, Hong Kong has harbored different youth groups generated from cross-border migration with mainland China who are tied to different cultural values and identifications. This study aims to investigate how social capital embedded in the family, school, and community influences the cultural identities across three groups of Chinese youths in the educational system: local students; cross-border students (born in Hong Kong, living in the neighbor city of mainland China but attending schools in Hong Kong on daily commute); and new immigrant students (born in mainland China but living in Hong Kong for less than seven years). Using data from a cross-sectional survey with 2180 fourth- to ninth-grade students in Hong Kong, the logistic regression results suggest that family and community social capital play significant roles in shaping the cultural identity of youths. Implications of the research findings are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Perspectives on Child and Adolescent Social Capital)

15 pages, 529 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Capital and Age at Sexual Debut: Race Differences in South Africa

by McKell A. Jorgensen-Wells and Spencer L. James

Soc. Sci. 2020, 9(11), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci9110197 - 31 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3430

Abstract

Literature on social capital has long considered whether and how social capital is protective against various risk behaviors, including age at sexual debut. However, much of this literature uses data from wealthy countries in the Global North and is often cross-sectional, dampening generalizability. [...] Read more.

Literature on social capital has long considered whether and how social capital is protective against various risk behaviors, including age at sexual debut. However, much of this literature uses data from wealthy countries in the Global North and is often cross-sectional, dampening generalizability. In this paper, we employ longitudinal South African data from adolescents in the Cape Area Panel Study to examine the longitudinal link between social capital and age at sexual debut. We first examine the overall relationship between age at sexual debut and social capital and then examine how the relationship differs by race. Results suggest that, on average, each additional activity is associated with an approximate 2 month delay in age at sexual debut. However, we observed steep racial differences. For Africans, the link between social capital and age at sexual debut was not significant, while the results for Coloureds and Whites were. For Coloureds, each additional activity translated into a 3 month delay in sexual debut, while for Whites we found a 4 month delay. We found no evidence of sex differences. Taken together, these results suggest that social capital is not equally efficacious for all South African adolescents. For Africans, social capital does not appear to be linked to age at sexual debut. In contrast, more social capital activities appear to be linked to delayed sexual debut, most particularly for Whites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Perspectives on Child and Adolescent Social Capital)

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13 pages, 280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Compensatory School Effects and Social Capital

by Alireza Behtoui and Isabella Strömberg

Soc. Sci. 2020, 9(11), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci9110193 - 29 Oct 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4048

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore whether and how school-based social capital (SSC) may increase or reduce inequalities in the academic achievement and well-being of students from different backgrounds (class, gender, and ethnicity). SSC here refers to those qualities of social [...] Read more.

The aim of this study is to explore whether and how school-based social capital (SSC) may increase or reduce inequalities in the academic achievement and well-being of students from different backgrounds (class, gender, and ethnicity). SSC here refers to those qualities of social relationships and the degree of interconnectedness between students, teachers, and parents that can support the educational attainment and social adjustment of young people. As the results of our ethnographic studies indicate, there is a significant association between SSC and school composition—i.e., the class and ethnic background of students in a school. The association indicates the stratification effect of social capital in schools as a predominant pattern. In a school with students from higher socio-economic backgrounds, we observed more qualified and motivated teachers, an intensive parental involvement, and, consequently, more constructive and friendly relationships among students. In contrast, in a school located in a disadvantaged area, the social relations were quite the reverse. We then found a third category. In a school with children from lower social class backgrounds placed in an immigrant-dense area, highly committed school staff were able to create an emotional closeness and trust between them, the pupils, and their parents. School-based social capital in this context introduced a sense of solidarity and created a pro-educational climate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Perspectives on Child and Adolescent Social Capital)

14 pages, 307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Too Much of a Good Thing: Social Capital and Academic Stress in South Korea

by Jonathan A. Jarvis, Allison W. Corbett, Jared D. Thorpe and Mikaela J. Dufur

Soc. Sci. 2020, 9(11), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci9110187 - 23 Oct 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 22847

Abstract

In intense academic environments such as in South Korea, students experience extreme levels of academic stress. This stress peaks as students prepare for the college entrance exam in the final year of high school. Stress is associated with a host of negative outcomes, [...] Read more.

In intense academic environments such as in South Korea, students experience extreme levels of academic stress. This stress peaks as students prepare for the college entrance exam in the final year of high school. Stress is associated with a host of negative outcomes, and academic stress is the leading cause of suicidal ideation among youth in South Korea. Research suggests that in high-stress contexts such as this, social capital can improve academic success and mental health, while reducing risky or deviant behaviors. However, this research has predominantly focused on Western contexts. Because of the unique intensity of educational pursuits and intense investment in education by parents, South Korea provides a compelling case for research on the effects of family and school social capital on youth academic stress. Using data from the Korea Youth Panel Survey (N = 2753), we find that particular components of family and school social capital can both reduce and exacerbate academic stress. While measures of closeness and connection to parents reduced academic stress, school social capital had a limited impact on academic stress. Furthermore, there may be a limit to the effectiveness of social capital to help with academic stress before it becomes too much of a good thing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Perspectives on Child and Adolescent Social Capital)

15 pages, 317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Family Social Capital and Delinquent Behavior in the United Kingdom

by John P. Hoffmann, Jared D. Thorpe and Mikaela J. Dufur

Soc. Sci. 2020, 9(10), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci9100178 - 6 Oct 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5149

Abstract

Research suggests that juvenile delinquency has a number of deleterious effects on adolescents’ lives. A promising way to discourage delinquent behavior is by increasing social capital, which involves social connections adolescents have to other actors and pro-social norms that flow through these networks. [...] Read more.

Research suggests that juvenile delinquency has a number of deleterious effects on adolescents’ lives. A promising way to discourage delinquent behavior is by increasing social capital, which involves social connections adolescents have to other actors and pro-social norms that flow through these networks. The primary source of social capital is one’s family members, but no studies to date have focused directly on the effects of family social capital on delinquent behavior in the United Kingdom (U.K.). We use data from the U.K. Millennium Cohort Study (MCS, 2015–2016; n = 11,352) to assess different sources of family social capital among youth. The results of negative binomial regression models indicate that certain types of family social capital, including parental supervision, not fighting with parents, and talking to parents when youth are worried, are associated with less delinquent behavior, even after adjusting for covariates such as family structure, household income, and peer behaviors. The results add to the empirical foundation that supports family social capital’s attenuating effects on youth misbehaviors and increases confidence in the utility of social capital to serve as a generally applicable theory of youth development and behaviors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Perspectives on Child and Adolescent Social Capital)

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