Write summary of 300 words, with references and 2 question regarding the Feminist Work and Community Education Viv Rogers The concept of community education is subject to similar confusions of identity as the concept of 'community' itself. It purports to be a lifelong learning process for people of all ages in adult education, youth work and community development. It professes commitment to meeting the needs of the whole 'community'. However, it lacks the necessary resources to do either of these, even if it were possible or desirable. In Devon, community education has peripheral status within education as a whole, and is therefore subject to arbitrary cuts in funding. Since the 1988 Education Act, community education in Devon has come under increasing pressure to define and justify itself - a difficult task when the service itself is not clear about its own aims and objectives. Without such clarity it fails to address the inequalities experienced by over half the population: women. Feminist approaches to community work (Barker, 1986) and the position of women in adult education (Thompson, 1983) have been the subject of debate amongst women, and sometimes within academic institutions. But whilst senior managers in community education may pay occasional lip service to the needs of female staff and 'users', in general, attitudes to work with women vary from the paternalistic to the hostile, and feminist practice in particular is still marginalised or considered ineffectual, inappropriate or hysterical over-reaction. It may seem surprising, and certainly frustrating, that in the 1990s the question of gender relations still needs to be raised and debated. There is a suspicion amongst many practitioners that this is mere nitpicking on the pa1t of feminists. After all, equality is a reality, isn't it? Surely, especially at a time of squeezed budgets and threats to local government, we should get on with the business of working in our 'patches' with our own 'community' interests?