Item Detail
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27714
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0
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0
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English
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Women from Polygamous Societies : Readiness for Adult Education Settings
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Salt Lake City, UT
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Westminster College
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Dissertation
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"Through the life history interview method of data collection, the readiness for adult education settings for former female members of polygamous societies was explored within the frame of critical feminist theory for three former members of polygamous societies. The life story interviews generated data that was explored according to the five characteristics of the successful adult learner as defined by andragogy and the sociohistorical context of their lives in a polygamous community. Data analysis was structured in four parts: first, according to the five characteristics of andragogy; second, according to the key similarities and differences between the three women's stories within the sociohistorical context of life in a polygamous community has on their readiness for adult education, focusing on themes of father worship and childhood dreams to explain how the marginalization of women within polygamous societies affected their readiness for adult education. Finally, each participant provided a self-assessment of their own readiness for adult education. The study found that participants' readiness for adult education were significantly affected by their sociohistorical backgrounds, first because of non-formal childhood education, as seen in the childhood education experiences of Emma and Sariah, but also because polygamous communities create definitions of self for women that relate to a male power figure, referred to as father worship, and a limited definition of social roles that do not extend beyond wife/mother. These data lead to important information about the creation of programs that meet the needs of former females of polygamous societies. Post secondary programs should address gaps in academic, social, and cultural background, provide female mentorship opportunities, and real-world paid work experience."--Author's abstract