Learning and the Experience of Social, Civic, and Political Participation in Old Age

• Published in: Adult education quarterly (American Association for Adult and Continuing Education) Vol. 72; no. 4; pp. 401 - 421
• Main Authors: Alves Martins, Teresa, Arriscado Nunes, João, Dias, Isabel, Menezes, Isabel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.11.2022
• Subjects: Adult Learning; Citizen Participation; Foreign Countries; Learning Experience; Lifelong Learning; Older Adults; Organizations (Groups); Participation; Political Attitudes; Social Organizations; Portugal; social, civic,and political participation; learning; old age; adult education
• ISSN: 0741-7136; 1552-3047
• DOI: 10.1177/07417136221080432

Despite 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.