Passage: Bourdieu's concept of 'cultural capital' refers to the social assets of a person (education, intellect, style of speech, etc.) that promote social mobility in a stratified society. Unlike economic capital, cultural capital is often misrecognized as innate talent or 'natural' refinement. Elites utilize these subtle markers of taste—preferences in opera, literature, or etiquette—to distinguish themselves from the lower classes, effectively gatekeeping access to prestigious institutions. Because these tastes are cultivated within the domestic sphere of affluent families from birth, they appear effortless. Consequently, individuals from lower-class backgrounds who attain economic wealth may still find themselves excluded from the highest social circles due to a lack of the appropriate 'habitus,' or internalized social dispositions. This ensures that social hierarchies are reproduced across generations under the guise of meritocracy.