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Complicating IssuesPoverty and financial difficulties add stressMany undereducated adults in Kentucky struggle financially
and suffer the adverse effects of poverty and financial stress. Several study participants related stories of economic
hardship that affected their lives in a variety of ways. Many respondents survived on very limited financial resources
and were constantly fearful of emergencies such as injuries or illness, major
automobile expenses, or job loss that might precipitate economic ruin.
Several respondents were especially concerned about the effects of
poverty on their children. What makes me feel bad is that I don’t have the money to, you know, do for my son and to get him everything he wishes and dreams. I wished I could. Maybe one of these years. Oftentimes financial difficulties made further education
both more essential and simultaneously more difficult to obtain.
Undereducated adults who struggled economically clearly realize that
education credentials might provide access to better-paying jobs.
At the same time, however, many have financial and family obligations
that leave little time or energy for participation in adult education classes. This Catch-22 situation frequently results in a feeling of
being trapped into circumstances over which they have little control.
Few study participants were in a position where they could afford time
off from work to concentrate on further education.
Of those who were employed, most emphasized that their work was of
necessity more immediately important than adult education opportunities.
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