Habitus and the relationship between youth culture and transition: A Bourdieusian analysis of musical culture and inequality in Japan

Abstract

The relationships between youth culture and social transitions are examined through a Bourdieusian analysis of musical culture and inequality in contemporary Japan. Employing Bourdieu's concepts of habitus, capital, field, and space, the traditional divide between youth cultural studies and transition research is addressed. Using mixed methods and combining multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) of the survey data (n = 1425) and in-depth interviews (n = 42), this study examines how cultural practices in music intersect with career trajectories and social positions. The MCA reveals that musical knowledge correlates with high social status indicators such as better educational attainment and household income, while participation correlates with educational attainment. Young people occupy a lower social position; however, their active concert attendance patterns minimize status distinctions along the axis of musical participation. Through interview analysis, three key relationships between youth culture and transitions are identified: deep artistic engagement leading to arts-related career choices, common habitus manifesting in both artistic perception and professional expertise, and the important role of song lyrics in helping young people cope with adversities during transitions. The findings show that habitus mediates between cultural practices and social trajectories, offering a theoretical bridge between studies on youth culture and transition research. Musical preferences and engagement patterns vary by generation, but the influence of music transcends age groups, influencing those who engage with it frequently. This research contributes to both youth studies and cultural sociology, as Bourdieu's theoretical framework provides understanding of the complex relationship between cultural practices and social inequality in Japan.