Publication: Trends and Issues: Race and Gender in Adult Education

• Imel, Susan

Topics related to race and gender have begun appearing with
increasing frequency in the adult education literature. The
most prevalent trend in the literature is a focus on
creating learning environments for diverse audiences,
including appropriate strategies for teaching and learning
and debate on whether separate approaches and/or special
programs based on race and/or gender are needed. The
intersection of gender, race, and class and their role in
shaping how adult learners view learning and knowing is
receiving increasing attention, and discussions of race and
gender are being framed within the larger contexts of power
structures and power relations. Among other gender- and
race-related issues receiving increasing attention in the
adult education literature are the following: how the field
of adult education perpetuates racism and sexism, how adult
education portrays women and gays/lesbians, how the role of
women and African Americans can be reclaimed in the history
of adult education; and the relationship between women and
literacy. To date, topics related to race or multicultural
issues have not received as much attention as topics
related to gender. (Annotated lists of 22 print resources
and 2 resource organizations concerned with issues of race
and gender in adult education are included.)

ERIC #:	ED382822