How do education and learning really impact on people's lives?The Benefits of Learning is a detailed, systematic and vivid account of the impact of formal and informal education on people's lives. Based on extended interviews with adults of all ages, it shows how learning affects their health, family lives and participation in civic life, revealing the downsides of education as well as the benefits. At a time when education is in danger of being narrowly regarded as an instrument of economic growth, this study covers:* the interaction between learning and people's physical and psychological well-being* the way learning impacts on family life and communication between generations* the effect on people's ability and motivation to take part in civic and community life.Packed with detail from adults' own accounts of their lives, the book reveals how learning enables people to sustain themselves and their communities in the face of daily stresses and strains, as well as sometimes transforming their lives. The book opens up new avenues for debate. It is a valuable resource for education researchers and of particular interest to education policy makers, adult education practitioners, health educators and postgraduate students in education.

Part 1: Background and Approach 1. Studying Benefits 2. Three Capitals: A Framework Part 2: Themes and Case Studies 3. The Impacts of Learning on Well-being, Mental Health and Effective Coping 4. Mental Health and Well-being Throughout the Lifecourse 5. Family Life and Learning: Emergent Themes 6. Family life illustrated: transitions,responsibilities and attitudes 7. 'A continuous effort of sociability': Learning and Social Capital in Adult Life 8. Lifelong Learning and Civic Participation: Inclusion, Exclusion and Community Part 2: Drawing Together 9. The Benefits of Adult Learning: Quantitative Insights 10. Reappraising Benefits