Children's social categorisation practices and family background

Abstract

The aim of this essay is to deepen understanding of family background's impact on children's social categorisation practices. Indeed, children's social categorisation practices have been widely studied in many countries worldwide, but the impact of family background remains poorly researched. Drawing on Bourdieu's notion of primary habitus, it has been possible to observe what happens when children use their incorporated dispositions to categorise. To achieve this aim, ninety-six families (96 first-grade children as well as their parents) were interviewed using photo-elicitation. A questionnaire was also used to reconstruct the families' socio-economic and cultural profiles. Thanks to mixed-methods analytic approach it has been possible to highlight the relevant impact of family context on children's social categorisation practices. Family's education level, nationality and some cultural practices play an important role on child categorisation.