The Effect of Social Origin on Educational Inequality

Abstract

The number of students enrolled in higher education has increased in Turkey as universities have been established in almost every city and the number of universities in cities has risen. Although this has increased the chances of students from lower social backgrounds to access university, it has not provided democratization in access to higher education. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between social origin and education. To this end, the study attempts to explain the differences between university students in terms of social origin and educational background. In addition, it tries to detect the effect of social origin, which is measured by the ownership of economic and cultural capital, on the quality of education accessed and academic achievement. The data of the study, which has employed the quantitative research method, have been obtained via the questionnaire administered to 800 students studying at Karabük University and Hacettepe University. The study concluded that the students studying at Hacettepe University and Faculty of Medicine had higher economic and cultural capital, enjoyed opportunities for higher quality school and education, and this brought academic achievement. Moreover, social origin was determined to be influential on the schools accessed. The students from higher social backgrounds were understood to have access more qualified and elite schools that allow them to preserve their current social standing.