Learning and the experience of social, civic, and political participation in old age

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Teresa Alves Martins (Author) FADEUP; João Arriscado Nunes (Author) ICBAS; Dias, Isabel (Author) FLUP; Isabel Menezes (Author) FPCEUP

Journal

Title: Adult Education Quarterly

Vol. 72 No. 4

Pages: 401-421

ISSN: 0741-7136

Publisher: SAGE

Indexing

Scopus

Other information

DOI: 10.1177/07417136221080432

Abstract (EN): espite the increase in life expectancy and the intensification of research with older populations, little is known about the relation between adult learning and engagement in social, civic, and political participation experiences. In this study, we interviewed 18 older adults involved in a diversity of contexts, from senior universities to civic associations or political organizations to explore whether and how these were perceived as learning experiences. Our findings reinforce the vision of social, civic, and political participation as learning experiences with a strong intergenerational component, where teaching and learning coexist. Participants recognize gains in a variety of knowledge and skills, from the more technical to the more interpersonal/social and political. Previous educational background and the lack of learning opportunities in old age are recognized as barriers to participation. Therefore, social, civic, and political participation clearly seems to transcend the strictly feel good and/or recreational perspective, emerging as valid adult education experiences.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific