Learning through life transitions : relational perspectives on migration, family, and community

Bernhard, Michael (author)

This paper examines the relational dynamics that shape learning during life course transitions, particularly in the context of migration. Adopting a relational doing transitions framework, the study investigates how the interplay between transitions, such as migration and transitions into parenthood, along with different actors in-fluences learning processes. Data were collected through 20 biographical-narrative interviews with those dubbed “skilled ” migrants to Canada and analysed using the documentary method. The analysis empirically underscores that learning is co-produced through complex social interactions, rather than being an isolated individual pro-cess. The findings suggest that aspects such as family roles, cultural dislocation, and gender norms can both enable and constrain learning during transitions. This research challenges linear models of transitions, highlighting the intertwined nature of personal and social dimensions in shaping learning experiences and educational opportu-nities. The paper concludes by emphasising that adult education practices must consider these relational factors to better support persons navigating transitions during times of societal change.

• Language: English
• Keywords: adult education, life transition, learning, migration, family, community, gender
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2025
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: Str. 23-40
• Numbering: Letn. 31, [št.] 2
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-178410
• UDC: 374.7
• ISSN on article: 1318-5160
• DOI: 10.4312/as/19723
• COBISS.SI-ID: 255411203
• Publication date in RUL: 27.01.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Andragoška spoznanja
• Shortened title: AS. Andrag. spozn.
• Publisher: Založba Univerze v Ljubljani
• ISSN: 1318-5160
• COBISS.SI-ID: 45586176

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Učenje na podlagi življenjskih prehodov: relacijski pogledi na migracije, družino in skupnost
• Keywords: andragogika, življenjski prehodi, učenje, družina, skupnost, spol, migracije