Exploring the Role of Cultural and Social Capital in Inequalities of Children’s Arts Education: A Comparative Study in the Greater Bay Area

Equity in education is crucial, yet educational inequality perpetuates social disparities, poverty cycles, and systemic injustices, undermining individual potential and society. While education can address inequality, it often reinforces existing gaps. This study focuses on educational inequality in Hong Kong and mainland China, particularly in arts learning, which is seen as a middle-class privilege. It examines how cultural and social capital is transmitted through out-of-school arts activities across the Greater Bay Area cities. Data includes 1,600 questionnaires and 80 interviews with parents of children aged three to eight years old. The study explores parental involvement, barriers faced by disadvantaged families, and the interplay of cultural and social capital. It analyzes how national policies and cultural contexts influence parental attitudes and decision-making, aiming to advance understanding and inform policies to address educational inequality.