The connection between social hierarchy, three types of capital to the importance of acquiring a higher education in Israel

Modern society has a social hierarchy, whereas being at the top of the social order has advantages. Many theorists have tried to quantify the social structure; one of the most modern among them was Pierre Bourdieu. The present study intends to examine the question: Are there existing differences between two social classes living in Israel in their guidance of their children to achieve higher education (regarding their possession of the three types of capital described by Bourdieu: economic, cultural, and social capital)? To study this phenomenon, we used qualitative research, which includes in-depth interviews with two groups of population (15 individuals in a group). Each group has homogenous Socio-demographic variables in different social classes. Our findings showed significant differences in the perception of obtaining higher education. differences in the parents' guidance of their children toward this objective, a phenomenon which might increase the social and class polarization in Israel.