Theoretical Frameworks for Understanding Social Class Corporeality

Abstract

This chapter begins with a brief historical overview of sociology of the body as a way of framing the later treatment of Bourdieu’s work on habitus, field, capital, and body hexis. Following this summary, this chapter then turns to Annette Lareau’s work on child-rearing logics that correspond with social class position. After exploring Lareau’s “concerted cultivation” and “accomplishment of natural growth” orientations, this chapter theorizes on how teachers might “read” the body language of children in different social class positions and the instructional consequences of such interpretations.