Student loans as symbolic violence

Bibliographic Data

ID4545857
AuthorsDiane Harris (0000-0003-3600-7645, Manchester Institute of Education, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK, corresponding author), Katy Vigurs (0000-0001-9535-5637, Birmingham City University), Steven Jones (0000-0002-4529-9996, Manchester Institute of Education, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
Year2021
Volume43
Issue2
Pages132-146
Publication date2021-03-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Higher Education Policy and Management (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1360-080X • E-ISSN: 1469-9508
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1360080x.2020.1771507
OpenAlexW3027155080
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited42

This paper asks whether Bourdieu’s notion of symbolic violence is a helpful lens through which to view student loan systems. Symbolic violence occurs when two unequal agents unconsciously conspire in the oppression of the less empowered agent, thus reinforcing and legitimating existing stratifications. Using England as a case study, we draw on in-depth interviews with 74 graduating students at two types of university. Half of the interviewees were part of a lower fees (pre-2012 entry) cohort and half were part of a higher fees (2012 entry) cohort. Students share ways in which the loan system affects their psychological stability and their imagined futures. We argue that symbolic violence (a) is encoded in public discourses of student borrowing; (b) becomes more prominent as systems move towards higher fees, regardless of forecast total repayment levels; and (c) is experienced differently by different types of students

Business · Economic growth · Economics · Higher education · Mathematics education · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Leadership, Courage, and Heroism Studies · Psychology · Social Work Education and Practice · Youth Education and Societal Dynamics

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