Not All Social Capital Is Equal: Conceptualizing Social Capital Differences in Cities
Social capital is the basis of community-based action and constitutes an important resource for the poor in urban areas. However, social class, age, ethnicity and gender play an important role in shaping social capital outcomes. This article provides a literature-based framework for the qualitative...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Urban Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/7/2/49 |
| _version_ | 1797592441230983168 |
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| author | Maren Wesselow |
| author_facet | Maren Wesselow |
| author_sort | Maren Wesselow |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Social capital is the basis of community-based action and constitutes an important resource for the poor in urban areas. However, social class, age, ethnicity and gender play an important role in shaping social capital outcomes. This article provides a literature-based framework for the qualitative analysis of the differences in social capital between social groups. This study defines and distinguishes social capital <i>functions</i> and <i>resources</i> and highlights the importance of taking <i>negative effects</i> of social capital and social capital <i>needs</i> into account. To test the framework, the social capital portfolios of two exemplary social groups, namely young people and ethnic minorities in urban areas, are presented. The analysis shows that the social capital resources and functions of the different groups as well as the specific needs vary in quality. The study provides a conceptual enhancement to the concept of social capital and recommends that strategies aiming at improving social capital must acknowledge the differences in social capital according to specific groups and environments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:51:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6d67b556c034446faf02e332413d78fb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2413-8851 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:51:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Urban Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-6d67b556c034446faf02e332413d78fb2023-11-18T12:57:40ZengMDPI AGUrban Science2413-88512023-05-01724910.3390/urbansci7020049Not All Social Capital Is Equal: Conceptualizing Social Capital Differences in CitiesMaren Wesselow0School of Computing Science, Business Administration, Economics, and Law/Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, University of Oldenburg, 26111 Oldenburg, GermanySocial capital is the basis of community-based action and constitutes an important resource for the poor in urban areas. However, social class, age, ethnicity and gender play an important role in shaping social capital outcomes. This article provides a literature-based framework for the qualitative analysis of the differences in social capital between social groups. This study defines and distinguishes social capital <i>functions</i> and <i>resources</i> and highlights the importance of taking <i>negative effects</i> of social capital and social capital <i>needs</i> into account. To test the framework, the social capital portfolios of two exemplary social groups, namely young people and ethnic minorities in urban areas, are presented. The analysis shows that the social capital resources and functions of the different groups as well as the specific needs vary in quality. The study provides a conceptual enhancement to the concept of social capital and recommends that strategies aiming at improving social capital must acknowledge the differences in social capital according to specific groups and environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/7/2/49social capitalurban sociologyframeworkinequalityminorities |
| spellingShingle | Maren Wesselow Not All Social Capital Is Equal: Conceptualizing Social Capital Differences in Cities Urban Science social capital urban sociology framework inequality minorities |
| title | Not All Social Capital Is Equal: Conceptualizing Social Capital Differences in Cities |
| title_full | Not All Social Capital Is Equal: Conceptualizing Social Capital Differences in Cities |
| title_fullStr | Not All Social Capital Is Equal: Conceptualizing Social Capital Differences in Cities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Not All Social Capital Is Equal: Conceptualizing Social Capital Differences in Cities |
| title_short | Not All Social Capital Is Equal: Conceptualizing Social Capital Differences in Cities |
| title_sort | not all social capital is equal conceptualizing social capital differences in cities |
| topic | social capital urban sociology framework inequality minorities |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/7/2/49 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marenwesselow notallsocialcapitalisequalconceptualizingsocialcapitaldifferencesincities |