Family literacy in Europe: separate agendas?

Abstract

Family literacy programmes have become increasingly popular with policy-makers as a means of addressing low levels of adult literacy. It is believed that such initiatives will help to address social exclusion and aid greater economic participation by those in deprived communities or from disadvantaged sectors of society. The growing interest in such initiatives comes at a time of international concern over general levels of literacy, as highlighted by the United Nations literacy decade 2003-2012 and in Europe by the Lisbon Agenda. In this article, which draws on the findings from a cross-European study of family literacy programmes in England, Ireland and Malta, we argue that disparate agendas characterizse policy and practice. We conclude by considering the implications for the future of family literacy programmes in promoting social inclusion.

Changing the home literacy environment through participation in family literacy programmes

“…This is in line with evidence from previous research (e.g. Brooks et al., 2008; Hannon et al., 2006; Morgan et al., 2010; Rose and Atkin, 2007; Swain et al., 2009, 2014). Just over three-quarters of the parents were under 40 (77% being aged between 26 and 40), and just under one fifth (19%) were aged between 41 and 50.…”

‘We occasionally miss a bath but we never miss stories’: Fathers reading to their young children in the home setting

“…These findings are consistent with other research (e.g. Nutbrown and Hannon, 2003;Rose and Atkin, 2007;Swain et al, 2009). 3 Despite fathers' limited participation in public and formal family literacy activities, there is evidence to suggest that fathers are more involved in informal literacy activities in the home setting.…”

“…These findings are consistent with other research (e.g. Nutbrown and Hannon, 2003; Rose and Atkin, 2007; Swain et al., 2009). 3…”

“…3. Swain et al. (2009) also found that male participation was low in 74 family literacy programmes, at 6% on average across all courses, which corresponds exactly to the figure Rose and Atkin (2007) found when they interviewed 48 learners in programme across England, Ireland and Malta.…”

The role of family literacy classes in demystifying school literacies and developing closer parent–school relations

“…Ninety-five per cent of parents attending the programmes were women, almost all of them mothers, which corresponds with evidence from previous research on family literacy (see eg Brooks, Pahl, Pollard, & Rees, 2008;Hannon, Morgan, & Nutbrown, 2006;Macleod, 2008;Rose and Atkin, 2007;Name of author et al, 2009). At Time 1 just over three-quarters (77%) of the parents were under 40 and just under one fifth (19%) were aged between 41 and 50.…”