Educational Prefrences of Older Adults and Implications for Local Congregations

Abstract

This research project studied the educational preferences of older adults in 22 churches in North Carolina. These older adults displayed a significant preference for "instrumental" activities over "expressive" activities. Level of education and occupation (or previous occupation) were significantly related to educational preference. Persons with fewer years of schooling indicated significant preference for instrumental activities, almost to the exclusion of expressive interests. As levels of education rose, there was a decrease in the ratio of instrumental preferences to expressive preferences. Persons in white collar jobs preferred expressive learning experiences more than blue collar individuals. Programming implications for local churches are discussed.