Participation in Adult Learning Activities: Literacy Among Seniors

The author discusses the effect of variables that may influence the decision of seniors over the age of 60 not to participate in adult learning activities and literacy skills. Three questions are addressed. First, which of five socio-economic status (SES) variables (age, income, gender, employment status, education) are the best predictors of deterrents to participation in adult learning activities by seniors 60 years of age and over? Second, which of six deterrents to participation (lack of confidence, lack of course relevance, time constraints, low personal priority, cost, and personal problems) are the best predictors of participation in adult learning activities by seniors 60 years of age and over? Finally, is participation in adult learning activities by seniors 60 years of age and over a predictor of seniors? literacy skills?