The Role of Family and Teachers on Art Choice of Students- The Example of Fine Arts High School

Abstract

In the study, the main factors influencing the artistic orientation of the students (choice of art branch and art school) and how families and teachers influence the orientation of students who pursue a career at the field of art have been analyzed. The quantitative data of the study reveal the main factors influencing students’ choice of art branch and art school. The qualitative data obtained from semi-structured interviews provide an in-depth understanding of how families mobilize their cultural, economic and social capital they possess with different degrees and structures and the functioning of this process. In addition, it highlights the various social factors such as recognition of talent by teachers, supporting and guiding talent to choose art education and the resources used in this process. In this study, family has emerged to be a significant source as the initial accumulation of every kind of useful cultural capital and a place of transmission of diverse capitals across generations in the artistic tendency. Students' familiarity with the art field, embodiment of behavior and attitudes have begun in childhood. The artistic characteristics, interests and occupations of the family members were reproduced by the next generations and this also included their school and subject choices. The cultural capital they acquired through the process of family socialization did not only affect the cultural interests, mental tendencies and preferences of the students who chose art, but also shaped their habitus. It also provided an understanding of the “rules of the game” in advance in the field of art and what they should do. In addition, discovering talent at an early age, belief in talents’ ability, supportive and guiding approach of teachers have a decisive influence on the students’ choice of art.