Women and personal meanings of literacy : beyond the mere reading and writing

Definitions of literacy have evolved considerably since the beginning of the 20th century, especially over the last two decades, in response to the demands of a highly technological society. These enhanced definitions include more than the basic skills of writing and reading. For women, in particular, literacy has become linked with a variety of issues such as personal growth and development, ways of knowing and the effects of patriarchy on their lives.This study attempts to gain a deeper understanding of the personal meanings of literacy in the lives of a group of women. It examines the meanings women assign to literacy in their daily lives. It explores how literacy fashions and alters women's perceptions of themselves and their place in the world. It also illustrates the dynamics of qualitative research on the participants