Date of Award

1993

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Bonnie Konopak

Abstract

The stories of three retired women who have shown a lifelong and continuing commitment to learning and literacy were addressed through life history methodology. Three literacy life histories were produced which were then analyzed in light of current research in the field of reading and literacy. All life phases were addressed, but emphasis was placed on the retirement years. Results confirmed prior research in the field of reading across four lifespan phases--preformal schooling, formal schooling, homemaker/workplace, and retirement--and suggested that reading and writing grew in importance during the retirement years and led to an extension or increase in mental awareness. The in-depth study of these three women's literacy experiences indicated the qualitative importance of literacy across the lifespan, and more importantly, the potentials for renewed involvement of self and world through creative writing endeavors.

Pages

280

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.5567

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