Summary:
The present research entitled "Transformative Learning Theory and the Status of the Female Gender in the Utilization and Process of Experiences in Workplace Integration" deals with and examines the cognitive habits and assumptions of adults regarding the role, position and status of women in the workplace.
Specifically, the first part of the paper discusses the characteristics of participants in adult education, the barriers and motivations they face, as well as an extensive description and analysis of the field. Then an in-depth study of the theory of Transformative Learning, one of the main theories of this field, is carried out. This theory is based on educating adults through critical reflection on their experiences. Essentially, through the educational process, the adult identifies the dysfunctional assumptions that he has acquired during his life through socialization and which in the later course of his life no longer represent him, so an attempt is made to eliminate or transform them.
This theory in the whole work is then related to latent perceptions and latent assumptions regarding gender. Specifically, the study explores women's own perceptions of their own presence and role in the workplace. The perceptions they have about how they are treated in a work environment, whether they are treated as equal and equal to male beings and professionals. Whether the work environment takes into account their personal needs and responsibilities that are not related to their work but to their general life. Finally, how safe do they feel in such a place and what or how frequent are the phenomena that by their presence can disrupt and interrupt this security.
In order to investigate the above, a quantitative survey was conducted by administering questionnaires to sixty (60) women who belong to different age groups, occupations, social status, background, etc. The results of the study show that women feel that they are treated differently from their male counterparts. Most of them, as a whole, feel that they cannot be themselves in their professional environment, that they have to try harder to prove their worth, capabilities and abilities. At the same time they experience feelings of fear and insecurity related to incidents of sexual harassment or to their family situation, such as the possibility of pregnancy. In order to further explore the issues highlighted by the quantitative study, a qualitative study was conducted by conducting six (6) interviews with women who belonged to different age groups, marital status, backgrounds, etc. The only distinction referred to the employment status of the participants as half of them were employed and half were unemployed.
Key words: Adult Education, Transformative Learning, assumptions, stereotypes, gender discrimination, sexual harassment.
Keywords:
Adult Education, Transformative Learning, assumptions, stereotypes, gender discrimination, sexual harassment
