Higher Education and Cultural Capital: The Role of Parental Education in Greek Medical School Choices

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between parental educational attainment and access to Greek medical schools from 2006 to 2014, employing Bourdieu’s concepts of cultural capital and habitus as a theoretical framework. The findings reveal a strong association between students’ access to prestigious medical schools and their parents’ educational attainment, with 72% of entrants having parents holding tertiary qualifications. This pattern reflects the systemic advantage conferred by higher cultural and social capital, which equips students from privileged backgrounds with the resources and dispositions necessary to succeed in competitive academic environments. Despite policies aimed at expanding higher education access, the results highlight persistent stratification, where students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds remain underrepresented. While the Greek economic crisis temporarily influenced admission thresholds, particularly among middle-class families, it did not significantly disrupt existing hierarchies within medical education. These findings align with global studies demonstrating that widening access does not inherently eliminate qualitative disparities within elite educational pathways. The study underscores the need for comprehensive policy reforms addressing structural inequalities in higher education, emphasizing not only expanded access but also equitable representation in high-status fields like medicine.