A study of the reasons women give for participation in adult career education courses and comparative analysis of some demographic characteristics

In September of 1974, 1090 women were surveyed about their reasons for participation in the Career Programmes Division of the British Columbia Institute of Technology. In addition, they were asked to provide information about their marital status, age, total family unit income, and enrolment in certificate programmes. The Education Participation Scale was selected as a suitable instrument for the measurement of reasons for participating in career programmes. Professional Advancement, Cognitive Interest, Social Welfare, Social Relationships, External Expectations and Escape/Stimulation were the six reasons which emerged in order of influence by the participants. Marital Status, Age and Present Occupation were found to be significantly related to some of the six reasons for participating whereas Total Income of the Family Unit and Enrolment Certificate Programmes were not. Married and "other" women as well as women over 30 years of age had significantly different reasons for participating than single or younger women. Career mobility was found to relate significantly to age but not to the other demographic characteristics. The finding may furnish useful information for administrators in colleges, universities and institutes in shaping educational and counselling policies.Education, Faculty ofEducational Studies (EDST), Department ofGraduat