Many people -- especially those located in rural areas -- are unaware of the range of educational facilities available. This informational barrier is responsible for the lower levels of commitment to learning. Even in cities, this holds true for migrants and homeless people. The lack of resources, or access to resources, gives rise to the perception that the process of gaining formal education or learning a skill is a difficult one. Although online and distance education courses are an option, people in some geographical areas may not have access to the robust technology these programs require.
Institutions that conduct courses and programs often have complex application procedures. Filling out the application forms, acquiring reference letters, obtaining test scores and transcripts, writing personal statements and applying for financial aid all contribute to making this seem like a tedious process. The different criteria that colleges and universities use to evaluate candidates for admission also contribute to the feeling of confusion. For self-directed learners who already have other commitments at work and home, these institutional practices can prove to be a major barrier.
An individual's motivation for education depends to a large extent on how conducive a life situation he faces. A person who is employed and perhaps supporting a family may find it difficult to find the finances or time to work on his education. Even if an institution provides financial aid, it cannot always compensate for a lack of income, and such students often need to find part-time jobs to meet their expenses. For women, there are other factors involved: pregnancy, child care and lack of a support system to manage the family's needs are major deterrents to self-directed learning.
The attitude of a person makes a great difference to her interest in learning. Younger adults are more likely to consider furthering their education because it will improve their earning potential; however, for middle-aged and older adults, their age -- and their own beliefs about their age -- is a significant barrier to learning. Such people worry about their ability to remember and apply information to solve problems. There is also the fear of failing to perform to expected levels and comparison to younger people taking the same course. Studying as you continue to work and manage a family also calls for a lot of hard work and sacrifice, which may be difficult for people who don't like venturing beyond their comfort zones.