THE ELDERS GO TO UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This article presents the results of a research study on the participation and social conditions of elders (more 55-60 years old) registered in University Program. Indeed, we have analysed the student situation in the University of La Laguna (Canary Islands). The article is structured in two distinct parts. First, we present a comparative study of some sociological aspects of the elder in Spain and in the Canary Islands. This study has been carried out from the perspective of gender, therefore attending to the feminization of seniors, relationships, styles and with economic activities, and their level of studies. In the second part, we present the results of the study on the situation of elders registered at Program for elder students of the University of La Laguna. Specially, we have attended to qualitative research results based on students study records and students social situation, also from a gender perspective.