Sociological Analysis of the Role of Fathers in Enhancing the Cultural Capital of the Family

Abstract
The purpose of this research is sociological analysis of the role of fathers in enhancing the cultural capital of the family. This research is based on a quantitative survey method. The statistical population included fathers living in Tehran in 1402 and the sample size included 384 of them, based on cluster sampling, survey data was collected and analyzed using SPSS software. In order to evaluate the validity of the research tool, the form-content validation method was used, and to evaluate the internal consistency of the variables, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient method was used, which indicated the validity of the research tool and the reliability of the variables. The descriptive results of the research indicated that the average cultural capital of the family was medium to low. Also, the evaluation of the variable dimensions of cultural capital of the family showed that the average of the dimension of embodied cultural capital is average, the average of the dimension of objectified cultural capital is above the average and the average of the dimension of institutionalized cultural capital is also below the average. In the analytical part, the findings showed that there is a significant and positive relationship between the level of education, income, social capital, father’s cultural consumption with the cultural capital of the family and a negative and inverse relationship between the educational style and the cultural capital of the family, so that with the increase in the level of education Income, social capital and cultural consumption are added to the amount of cultural capital of family members. Also, the use of permissive and authoritarian parenting styles had a negative and inverse relationship with the cultural capital of the family. 
Keywords: Family Cultural Capital, Social Capital, Income, Education, Cultural Consumption, Parenting Style, Father of the Family.
 
1. Introduction
The family, as the core of cultural capital transmission (Bourdieu, 1986), plays a vital role in shaping cultural identity and the path of progress of its members. Cultural capital includes cultural assets, activities and information, educational qualifications, character and attitudes (Akbarpour et al., 2016: 70-73). However, previous studies have mainly focused on the role of mothers in this process and have ignored the role of fathers (Lareau, 2003). Structural changes in the family, such as increasing fathers’ education and changing patterns of authority, highlight the importance of rethinking the role of fathers. Fathers play a role in the development of children in today’s societies. The presence of a father creates a safe and supportive environment (Omidvar Tahran & Khani, 2015: 1). Iwata (2003) examines the role of fathers in two behavioral and consequential dimensions. According to Bourdieu’s theory (1986), parental education, especially fathers’, plays a key role in the transfer of cultural capital by providing access to cultural resources (Bourdieu, 1986). Data from the Statistical Center of Iran (2021) show that fathers’ education increases the likelihood of children’s participation in cultural programs. A favorable income also provides more opportunities to acquire cultural experiences and skills (Vosoughi Asl, 2023: 85). Ignoring the role of fathers affects the path of acquiring cultural capital in the family. Despite the importance of cultural capital (Bourdieu, 1986), the role of fathers has been systematically ignored. Studies show that few studies have specifically addressed the role of fathers. In studies that have mentioned the role of parents, variables related to fathers have not been analyzed independently (Amirahmadi et al., 2016: 125). Accordingly, the present study was designed with the aim of sociologically analyzing the role of fathers in promoting family cultural capital in Iran. This research seeks to answer the question: What role do the level of education, income, social capital, cultural consumption, and father’s parenting style play in improving the family’s cultural capital?
 
2. Materials and Methods
This research is an applied study with a descriptive-correlational approach and quantitative nature, which was conducted using a cross-sectional survey method. The statistical population included fathers living in Tehran in 1402, from which 384 people were selected as the sample size based on the Cochran formula. Sampling was carried out using a multi-stage cluster probability method. Tehran city was divided into five districts, and then districts, neighborhoods, and residential blocks were randomly selected. Data were collected using two documentary and survey methods (questionnaire). Cultural capital was measured using the Allahyari Standard Scale (2013) in three dimensions: embodied, objectified, and institutionalized, with 73 items and a five-point Likert scale. Social capital was assessed using the items of the National Social Capital Plan (2018) and in the dimensions of trust, participation, social cohesion, social give and take, and connections, with 77 items and a Likert scale. Cultural consumption was measured with the Zare-Shahabadi and Taher scale (2013) and in three areas of music, books, and films (28 items). The father’s parenting style was measured with the Baumrind scale (1973) in three dimensions of permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative (30 items) and a Likert scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive and inferential statistics. To distinguish the role of fathers and mothers in the family’s cultural capital, a survey approach was used focusing on the role and function of the father. Face validity was confirmed by face-content validation method and the reliability of variables was confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (cultural capital 0.909, social capital 0.945, cultural consumption 0.829, and parenting styles 0.728).
 
3. Data
The findings of this study show that the average family cultural capital is average to low. The social capital of fathers was also assessed as lower than average. The cultural consumption of fathers was average, but the consumption of films was high and the consumption of books was lower than average. Authoritative parenting styles were dominant, while the authoritarian style was less common. The results of the analyses indicate a significant relationship between the father’s education and the family’s cultural capital, so that with the increase in the father’s education, the family’s cultural capital increases. Also, there is a positive relationship between the father’s income and the family’s cultural capital, except in the income range of 7.5 to 10 million. The father’s cultural consumption, especially literary and film consumption, has a positive relationship with the family’s cultural capital, but music consumption is ineffective.
The father’s social capital also has a direct and positive relationship with the family’s cultural capital, so that increasing social give-and-take, associational participation, social cohesion, and social interactions of the father increases the family’s cultural capital. These findings, by emphasizing the role of informal networks in Iran, modify Coleman’s theory. Finally, permissive and authoritarian parenting styles have a negative and inverse relationship with family cultural capital. While the authoritative parenting style, although weakly related, is not statistically significant. These results challenge common assumptions about the effectiveness of the authoritative parenting style and emphasize the importance of revisiting the localization of parenting theories. Also, the adverse effect of the authoritarian style on cultural capital indicates the high sensitivity of cultural transmission to parenting practices in Iran.
 
4. Discussion
The findings of this study emphasize the vital role of fathers in enhancing the family’s cultural capital. Increasing the father’s level of education, beyond providing financial resources, opens doors to access to cultural resources and facilitates the transfer of values, knowledge, and skills to children. Fathers with higher education, by having different cultural practices and preferences, provide a suitable role model for their children, which is doubly important given the emphasis on the role of agency and lifestyle choice in contemporary society. Fathers’ cultural consumption, as an influential factor in shaping the family’s cultural taste, was confirmed in this study. High consumption of books and films, as the two main components of cultural consumption, not only provides the basis for increasing the family’s cultural capital, but also plays a significant role in institutionalizing the desire to study and improving the level of cultural values in children. These findings, emphasizing the cumulative and dialectical role of cultural capital (Larson, 2014), show how parents’ cultural consumption can act as a model and guide in shaping children’s cultural identity.
The positive relationship between father’s income and family cultural capital indicates the direct impact of economic resources on access to cultural opportunities and the possibility of benefiting from educational and cultural services. This finding confirms the point that having economic capital not only provides access to cultural goods and services, but also creates a sense of satisfaction and psychological security, paving the way for acquiring more cultural capital. Father’s social capital, as a network of social relationships and interactions, plays a fundamental role in promoting family cultural capital in this study. Participation in social activities, membership in associations, and increased interactions lead to increased awareness, familiarity with cultural centers, and increased social ties and interactions with individuals with high cultural capital. This finding, while modifying Coleman’s (2011) theory in the Iranian cultural context, emphasizes the importance of informal networks and social connections in the transmission of cultural capital.
Finally, permissive and authoritarian parenting styles have a negative impact on family cultural capital. This finding shows the importance of adopting a balanced parenting approach in which encouragement of independence and creativity is accompanied by maintaining structure and order.
 
5. Conclusion
This study shows the key role of fathers in promoting family cultural capital. Fathers’ education, income, cultural consumption, and social capital are positively related to family cultural capital. Increasing fathers’ education facilitates access to cultural resources and capital transfer. Cultural consumption, especially reading books and watching movies, is directly related to cultural capital. Income increases the possibility of benefiting from cultural resources. Fathers’ social capital helps to promote cultural capital through participation and social interactions. Permissive and authoritarian parenting styles have a negative effect. Based on the results, cultural planning should focus on increasing awareness of the role of fathers, paying attention to cultural taste, promoting book reading, establishing cultural centers, teaching the values of cooperation and assistance, and promoting social capital. Also, supporting cultural conferences and encouraging membership in cultural associations and public participation is essential. These measures will help to promote family cultural capital and, as a result, improve the cultural status of society.