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Learning in Retirement and Old Age: an agenda for the 21 st century
Author(s) -
Istance David
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
european journal of education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1465-3435
pISSN - 0141-8211
DOI - 10.1111/ejed.12120
Subject(s) - lifelong learning , diversity (politics) , active ageing , adult education , life course approach , phenomenon , sociology , psychology , political science , gerontology , demographic economics , economic growth , developmental psychology , older people , pedagogy , economics , medicine , epistemology , philosophy , anthropology
This article is about education and learning for the ‘retired’. In using this term, it is recognised that any such definitions and given age bands cover a wide range of situations and learning needs. Such diversity should closely inform the educational agenda for older adults, and as it is a life phase defined by challenge and change ‘learning to be’ encapsulates much that is essential to that agenda. The international evidence shows how rapidly our societies are ageing, and how much longer is spent in retirement: so rapid is that change and so large the numbers of seniors and the elderly that the active nature of learning represents a critical aspect of response to this major phenomenon. Contrary to a popular image of declining skills and capacities, the evidence reveals a much more nuanced picture of capability among the retired. Comparisons are drawn with the early childhood sector, which had parallel characteristics but which has since moved rapidly upwards among policy priorities. In conclusion, the article argues that ‘active ageing’ rather than ‘lifelong learning’ represents a more promising embracing framework through which to develop learning in retirement and old age.