Literacy and Gender

Summary

In this item the writer explores:

  • the lack of focus on women in the approaches to adult literacy programmes and in the literature on literacy
  • the learner-centred approach, and the idea that what might benefit some learners may not benefit others
  • studies that have suggested that women learn in particular ways
  • family literacy programmes, to see what messages they give to women about women's roles
  • inequalities taken for granted in women's lives and issues of power - literacy as 'women's duty but not women's right'
  • violence in women's lives and its relevance to literacy programming for women
  • literacy teaching as 'women's work' and the significance of this.

Further Reading

If you are interested in following up on this unit there are various directions you might want to go. Garber et al. (1991) and Rockhill (1987a) both provide some further background for thinking about literacy issues with women. Garber et al. write from the standpoint of literacy workers, Rockhill draws from research to consider issues of power more theoretically. Horsman (1990) will encourage you to think about women's lives in one context and to question your assumptions about the potential of literacy programmes to create change in your own setting. If you want to explore at more length the ways in which literacy programmes might serve women better, Lloyd (1994b) contains an interesting collection of writings about 'woman-positive' activities carried out in literacy programmes across Canada.

You will also be able to identify other items in the course which are relevant to the issues raised here. Limage's item on adult literacy in the South in Unit 2 also takes up issues of women literacy learners, and the item on family literacy in this unit offers another perspective on these programmes. There is also material on women's education and on gendered expectations of women as 'caring' workers in the Adult and Community Education and Professional Studies modules.

Writer

Jenny Horsman is a community educator and researcher. She works with Spiral Community Resource Group, Toronto, to carry out research, writing, curriculum development, training and facilitation projects in adult literacy and workplace training.

© 1996 The writer. Produced as part of the YMCA George Williams College BA (Hons) Informal and Community Education programme.