Lifelong Learning Participation: The Micro Sociological Perspective

Abstract

Similar to the previous chapter, this chapter discusses t he determinants of participation, but from the sociologist’s perspective. A central theme in this chapter will be the notion of social class, and the way in which adult education is often discussed in relation to climbing the social ladder. Notions of inequality and class differences are pertinent to this discourse. Understanding these social mechanisms to strive towards a fairer uptake of education and training is extremely important, as Torres states (2013, p. 26), whose work makes regular references to Freire (1970) who argued against oppression and domination, and how social structures and relations in fact lead to maintained levels of inequality and injustice:

in the end, key dimensions in policy formation, such as social class differences, gender, ethnic or racial discrimination, or discrimination based on region of origin, immigration status, or religion remains understated in the narratives of policymakers. (Butterwick & Egan, in Kasworm et al., 2010, p. 114)