ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the cultural capital acquired by caregivers. It explores the occupational changes made as caregivers translate cultural capital into human capital. The term cultural capital refers to linguistic styles, manners, patterns of behavior, recreation and leisure activities, knowledge, and titles such as degrees. The concept of cultural capital is consistent with the strengths approach. Both are based on the assumption that adult development is not completely instinctive. Most caregivers made the connection between the acquisition of skills and employment opportunities. Cultural capital is a collection of attitudes and abilities that can be wielded to obtain money, or human capital. Attitudes and abilities are the currency of cultural capital. Through exposure, caregivers learned to label concrete items, concepts, and emotions. They learned to express themselves, even in difficult situations; and they learned to negotiate for what they wanted.
