Van Mozart tot Marco Borsato: Muzikale voorkeuren binnen een hoogopgeleide familie

This study explores musical preferences within three generations of a single Dutch family. In particular, it is interested in the role of age in relation to musical preferences. According to Bourdieu, cultural participation is strongly related to social class. Multiple studies have shown that a more diverse pattern of cultural participation has emerged among the highly educated, which is known as cultural omnivorousness. By carefully examining all three elements of Bourdieu’s cultural capital for all three generations, it is expected to find a more omnivorous pattern of musical preferences among the younger generations, as it is theorized that they are more interested in new types of music. Differences in cultural capital were found especially among the first generation on the one hand, and the second and third generation on the other hand. Differences in musical preference were found between all three generations. While the first generation was mostly interested in highbrow culture, the second generation had more interest in popular culture. The third generation was interested in popular music, and demonstrated appreciation for highbrow culture as well. Thus, evidence was found for an increase in omnivorousness among the younger generations.