Self-Empowerment Processes and the Impact of Basic Education on Shame Burdens and Stigmatisation Experiences in Adults. A Qualitative Study

People who find it difficult to use written language are often exposed to experiences of shame and stigmatisation. This chapter presents the results of a qualitative study in which 12 affected persons were interviewed. These individuals, who have had such experiences, are now attending adult education programmes that promote literacy skills. The focus of the study is on the burdens of shame and stigmatisation carried by the persons concerned, how they experienced them, from whom they originated, and to what extent these experiences were connected with the decision to enter an adult education programme. Resource-based basic education programmes appear to lead to new and sustainable experiences of self-efficacy and self-empowerment for the people concerned and to a significant and sustainable expansion of their participation radius. Consequently, this study also investigates the effects of these offers on the perception and evaluation of former shame burdens and which changes the affected persons perceive in this regard.