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Effect of Adult Education on Intergenerational Communication within Families

Abstract

Adult education is an important form of learning that equips adults with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and competencies that can be applied to personal and family life. Intergenerational communication within families is important for promoting understanding, cooperation, knowledge sharing, and healthy relationships between younger and older family members. However, differences in experiences, communication abilities, and understanding between generations may create difficulties in effective family interaction. This study will examine the effect of adult education on intergenerational communication within families. Adult education provides learning opportunities through literacy education, continuing education, vocational training, family education, community education, and other organized learning activities. These programmes develop communication, literacy, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills through discussions, group activities, practical exercises, and interactive learning. Adult education can also expose learners to knowledge about family relationships, respect for different perspectives, conflict management, and effective communication practices that can be applied within family settings. Intergenerational communication refers to the exchange of information, ideas, experiences, feelings, and knowledge between members of different generations within a family. Effective communication may involve listening, expressing ideas clearly, understanding different viewpoints, sharing experiences, and discussing family matters constructively. Adult education can influence intergenerational communication by improving adults’ communication skills, broadening their understanding of different perspectives, and providing opportunities to practise effective interaction and dialogue. The study will adopt a quantitative research design. The population will comprise adult learners participating in selected adult education programmes and members of their families from different generations. Data will be collected using a structured questionnaire designed to measure participation in adult education and intergenerational communication within families. The instrument will be subjected to appropriate validity and reliability procedures before administration. Data collected will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, while the relevant hypothesis will be tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The study is expected to establish that adult education has a positive effect on intergenerational communication within families. It is anticipated that adults who participate in adult education programmes will demonstrate improved communication with younger and older family members. The study may also establish that exposure to adult education encourages clearer expression, active listening, mutual understanding, and constructive exchange of information between family members from different generations. The findings will have implications for teaching and learning in adult education by emphasizing the importance of developing communication competencies that can be applied beyond the classroom. Adult educators may incorporate group discussions, role-playing, family-related case studies, dialogue activities, and problem-solving exercises into programme delivery. Such approaches can provide learners with practical opportunities to develop communication skills and apply them to interactions with family members from different generations. The study will be significant to adult educators, adult learners, parents, families, community organizations, family-support practitioners, educational institutions, and policymakers. Adult educators may use the findings to design learning programmes that address practical family communication needs. Families may also benefit from improved interaction and understanding among generations, while policymakers and community organizations may use the findings to strengthen adult education programmes that support positive family relationships. The study will recommend that adult education programmes should incorporate practical communication activities that promote effective interaction among family members of different generations. Adult educators should use discussions, role-playing, active-listening exercises, and family-oriented learning activities to develop learners’ communication abilities. It will also recommend greater integration of family communication issues into community-based adult education programmes. The study concludes that effective adult education can contribute to improved intergenerational communication and stronger relationships within families.

Keywords: Adult Education, Intergenerational Communication, Family Communication, Adult Learning, Family Education, Communication Skills, Intergenerational Relationships, Family Learning, Active Listening, Interpersonal Communication, Adult Learners, Family Relationships, Communication Competence, Lifelong Learning, Family Interaction