This article explores and explains the subjectivity of self-helping adult learners, as depicted in contemporary, best-selling self-help books. It interrogates how those self-help texts embody particular features of self-helping subjectivity by appropriating neoliberalist perspectives on self and the world. It illuminates four salient features of…

Through presenting empirical research exploring the connections between popular culture and informal learning, we argue that, as predicted by concepts such as self-directed learning and transformational learning, the experience of transition has a meaningful impact on adult learning. Specifically, transitions encourage adults to engage in learning…

The helpfulness of self-help reading was explored through interviews with 6 female self-help readers. Themes derived through phenomenological data analysis suggested that there is a distinct structure to the self-help reading experience, including self-help reading as a medium for revisioning of self. Implications for counseling practice and…

Parents in the Western world today are often said to feel unsure and inadequate and as a consequence there are a plethora of self-help products on the market as well as parent education programmes. This article explores the kinds of research questions that are raised by this state of affairs. The discussion is mainly based on existing studies of…

The Antigonish Movement used lifelong education to overcome educational and economic inequities. Begun in Canada's Maritime Provinces, the movement anticipated many of the principles of lifelong learning, adult learning, and Paolo Freire. (SK)

Describes structured journal writing as a pedagogical tool to help learners become effective lifelong learners. Suggests using the journal writing to promote collaboration which makes effective use of the consciousness-raising and self-help group activities that have been used extensively in the Women's Movement. (KO)

Educational and gerontological perspectives coincide in a view of lifelong learning for women. Developments in women's education, preretirement education, education for older adults, and self-help programs, together with public debate on both aging and feminism, challenge educators to offer relevant, empowering opportunities to older women. (SK)

Reviews self-directed lifelong learning among adults in London from 1558-1640 as nurtured by individuals, organizations, self-improvement publications, and colleges. (EM)

Analyzed the biographies of twenty acknowledged experts without formal training beyond high school in search of commonalities that might suggest ways people become effectively self-directed in learning and accomplishment. Patterns of education and personality characteristics are discussed. (Author/CC)

Although the origins of self-help groups can be traced back to early history, the self-help movement as we know it today began almost 50 years ago. Approximately 15 million Americans currently belong to about 500,000 different self-help groups. Adults in transition are likely to seek both formal and informal sources of help when faced with…

This report is the outcome of the first attempt to research self-help groups (SHGs) systematically on a large enough scale to represent the whole of those in Great Britain. Chapter 1 explains and defines what SHGs are and how they relate, qualitatively and quantitatively, to the universe of all voluntary organizations of which they are a part.…

This professional development program is designed to assist managers and professionals in meeting job demands while maintaining individual skill and expertise. This volume contains an introduction to the program, developed by the Prairie View, Kansas, Mental Health Center, and is divided into three sections. The first section describes the program…

In 1995, there were 107 universities of the third age (U3As) in Australia (up from 104 in 1994) and Australian membership in U3A groups totaled 26,346 (compared to 20,788 in 1994). U3A membership in New Zealand was also up. In view of the increasing popularity of U3As in Australasia and the success of U3A networks in a number of countries…

This workbook provides a model for mental health professionals to use in developing and implementing a plan for their self-directed job-related learning and skill enhancement. The materials describe techniques for mastering a specific body of knowledge. Questionnaires are provided to help the user organize individual needs and goals; suggestions…

Social education in Japan is discussed as to: (1) the problems in social education for each life stage as a result of social change; (2) the present situation and direction future efforts should take with respect to the content, methods, organizations, facilities, and leaders of social education; and (3) the role and major problems of social…