Finnish parents’ science capital and its association with sociodemographic issues

Abstract

ABSTRACT Science capital consists of science-related cultural and social capital and science-related behaviours and practices. This study aims to clarify the core dimensions of science capital among Finnish parents through consideration of how parents’ educational degree, profession, age and residential area are associated with their science capital. To test this, a survey was conducted with a sample of 740 parents in Finland aged 26 to 69 years. Exploratory factor analysis was used to explore the science capital dimensions and confirmatory factor analysis supported the final seven-factor model. Differences in parents’ responses, including by sociodemographic background, were measured using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. The core dimension of cultural capital focuses on the valuing of science in society. Behaviour and practices consist of everyday and informal learning in community spaces, and social capital is strongly linked to future affinity and science identity. Parents’ residential areas and educational degrees seem to have the largest effects on different dimensions. However, a parent’s level of education, profession or residential area do not seem to affect their engagement in everyday science activities with their children. These results provide support to discuss inequalities among families, and ways to increase family science capital.