Cultural capital of couples: Tensions of elective affinities

The paper discusses homologies of social space by considering the elective affinities identified in multiple method research on cultural capital in the contemporary UK when a group of partnered individuals (heterosexual couples—married and non-married) were asked for similar sorts of information about their tastes and participation in culture. It explores how partners are individually and relationally placed (including in relation to one another) in the space of lifestyle using Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) and qualitative material (interviews and focus groups). The discussion qualifies previous research on gender and cultural capital indicating the relevance of the lifecourse—and age—for different class engagements in culture.

► Provides renewed and rigorous analysis of the relationship between gender and cultural capital arising from the CCSE project in the UK. ► Treats gender relationally showing its paired influence with age along the lifecourse. ► Extends understanding of cultural capital operations for women and men in relationships.