ABSTRACT
Older women who enter higher education in order to study for a degree are challenging several myths. Among these are that older women should stay within their traditional roles; that older people are unable to learn; and that education is for the young. Some commentators have argued that older people should not be permitted to enter higher education:
It is questionable whether a national educational system should be obliged to admit to its most expensive courses students who will never use their degrees or qualifications, or who can have very little time to do so.
(Laslett, 1989:167)