Formal and nonformal education and empowered behavior : a review of the research literature

This study reviews evidence that education has these beneficial effects not so much by imparting particular skills or knowledge as by empowering women to adopt personal, social, and economic behaviors that in turn effect demographic changes. In addition, the study reviews evidence that empowerment takes place not only in formal schooling but also through non-formal education (NFE) and participation in women"s associations. The paper begins by examining research on the links between formal schooling and demographic change. Next, it examines evidence that formal schooling effects demographic change by empowering women and helping them to become autonomous within patriarchal and gender stratified societies. A final section examines research evidence of how NFE and membership in women"s associations, by developing women"s sense of autonomy and empowerment, lead them to behave in ways that result in demographic change. Further areas of research on how NFE and membership in associations empowers women are sketched in conclusion.