Influence of Demographic Variables on Gender Ideology, Self Concept and Participation in Adult Learning Programmes Among Benin Women in Edo State

This study seeks to explore how demographic characteristics influence gender ideology, self-perception, and participation in adult learning among Benin women. While several studies have explored factors affecting adult education participation, there remains a limited understanding of how specific demographic variables intersect with gender ideology and self-concept to influence Benin women’s engagement in adult learning programmes. To guide the study, seven research questions were raised and seven hypotheses were formulated. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consisted of 406 women of the Benin ethnic group, who are participants in adult learning programmes. The entire population was used for the study because of its manageable size. A questionnaire was used for data collection which was validated by three experts and the reliability was established using Cronbach Alpha formulae yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.71. Data gathered for the study were analyzed as follows: Hypothesis 1 was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) while hypotheses,2,3,4,5 and 6 were tested using Fishers Z. The hypotheses were tested using 0.05 alpha level. Findings of the study showed that there was a significant and positive relationship among gender ideology, self concept and participation in adult learning programmes among Benin women. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that Educational initiatives should be designed with sensitivity to the diverse demographic characteristics of women in specific geographical regions and policymakers should develop and implement educational policies that actively challenge restrictive gender ideologies.