GENDER SOCIALIZATION IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETIES: IMPLICATIONS FOR WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN LEARNING PROGRAMMES IN LATER LIFE

Abstract

Women as adult learners have challenges participating in learning and continuing their education. Whether or not these challenges are peculiar to women is unknown but likely, considering the fact that gender socialization in traditional African society place women in a disadvantaged position than the male counterpart. Therefore, this study aimed at finding out the influence of gender socialization on women participation in adult learning programmes in Edo State. Two research questions were raised. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consisted of 406 women of Benin origin because it us an ethnic group the researcher is very familiar with, who are participants in adult learning programmes in government and private centres in Edo South Senatorial District. The entire population constituted the sample for the study because of its manageable size. A selfconstructed questionnaire was used as research instrument for data collection and was validated by three experts: two from adult and non-formal education and one from measurement and evaluation.The reliability was established using Cronbach Alpha reliability method which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.71. Data gathered for the study were analysed using Mean and Standard Deviation. Findings of the research showed that gender socialization influenced participation of Benin women in adult learning programmes. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that cultural institutions should identify and abolish gender stereotypes and practices that devalue the female gender which can impede participation in alternative education in later life.