However there are many overlaps between these areas. This reinforces the need for a
holistic understanding of individual cases and the interacting effects, as we illustrate
in Part C.
We described in Section 1 how we came to modify the focus of one of the projects, to
refer to adaptation and change rather than transition; and how the evidence from the
two projects came together, with respondents providing evidence that related to both.
‘Adaptation’ and ‘change’ are used here in relation to the specific challenges posed by
family life. In this section we concentrate primarily on the evidence from those with
children, exploring how learning enabled them to manage the changes that having
young children brought about in their lives. But we introduce other evidence on this
general theme of adaptation. So although the main focus is on one segment of the life
cycle, and how people move on from a period of intensive childcare and domestic
responsibility, we refer also to other significant passages in people’s lives, for
example arriving in England as refugees, taking on caring roles, or active ageing.
To summarise, outcomes of learning and education that helped respondents to adapt
and cope include:
Individual
▲
- getting out, and doing something for oneself;
- sense of purpose and hope;
- a structure for daily/weekly life;
- self-confidence, self-belief;
- belief in the world;
- self-awareness, independent thought, autonomy;
- problem-solving skills;
- access to knowledge sources;
- social support and integration.
▼
Community/collective
6.1 Getting away/out, doing something for oneself
Many of the respondents who had small children mentioned that attending classes
gave them time away from the home, and modified a lifestyle dominated by childcare
and other domestic responsibilities. Because it could be fitted around these
responsibilities adult education enabled them to sustain their commitment to their
children, but because it was something that they did for themselves and not for
anybody else, it also sustained their sense of identity:
“Parents need some rest as well because like 24 hours at home doing the
housework, shopping and everything and you have a child at home so you don’t
have any break. ” (Padma)
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