ABSTRACT
Knowledge that was ‘really useful’ would raise awareness; provide ways of analysing and understanding how oppressions were structured and sustained; and would lead to educational and social action for change that was informed by theories derived from collective experience. Since the 1980s radical adult education, left-wing sociology and feminism in Britain have been in decline, replaced by the ideology of the ‘New Right’ developed from the ideas of Thatcherism. This chapter attempts to identify the radical traditions within sociology, feminism and adult education as an approach to understanding the experiences of mature women students in universities. Certain social groups, working-class women and men, black people, continue to be excluded from adult education and, in particular higher education, because of inequalities in initial schooling. As B. Troyna points out, empowerment has been ‘hijacked’ by the New Right. Empowering and changing women’s lives has been at the heart of feminist discourse and research.
