African-American Male Identities in Adult Basic Education and Literacy Programs [Theorizing from the Literature]

This paper proposes that the relationship between literacy and identity holds potential for illuminating African-American men’s participation in ABEL programs and providing opportunities for learning

The Clown, the Criminal, and the Dummy: Alternate Interpretations of Oppositional Behaviors

Drawing upon the narratives of three African American men who dropped out of school, the paper proposes that oppositional behaviors may be underpinned by self-protective strategies based upon perceived available options and that commonly held stereotypes can lead to the misinterpretation of actions

Exploring the Relationship between Religious Faith and Persistence Through Intertextuality

This paper draws upon intertextuality to explore how an African American male adult learner uses his religious faith as a resource for persisting in an adult literacy program. The findings indicate that religious faith was not simply a coping mechanism but a resource for redefining learner identity

The Enactment of Hegemony through Identity Construction: Insights from ThePresentation of Self in Everyday Life

This paper uses Goffman’s dramaturgical analysis to examine how hegemony maintains its power and influence in the life of the individual. The analysis reveals that the power of hegemony lies in the construction of particular identities that shape our interactions and limit our imagined futures

Women’s Involvement in Adult Education and Family Literacy: Consequences for Social Networks, Social Support, and Mental Health

This paper presents preliminary findings from a mixed-methods study that examines how women use adult education and family literacy programs to construct supportive social networks, and, in turn, how these influence their mental health. We argue that these programs offer opportunities to form friendships and to access emotional, informational, and material support, thereby alleviating psychological distress arising from poverty, caregiving, and other stressors. However, intentional efforts to cultivate social ties and support systems among adult learners are needed

Book Review

M. Alexander (2012). The New Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness