Upward Mobility and Social Capital: Building Advantage through Volunteering

Recent studies by Mayer (2003) and Ironmonger (2002) have drawn attention to the social and economic value of social capital accrued from taking part in voluntary activities. This study examines the utilitarian value of social capital accrued from volunteering and membership of civic organisations. It examines data on income and employment from the Northern Adelaide Social Inclusion Survey 2005, a survey of 1999 residents of Gawler, Playford and Salisbury in South Australia.