Economic Reasons:

• finances*
• learners need to live as well as pay for tuition and supplies (3X);*
• fees (2X);*
• loss of unemployment benefits (UIC) if return.

Personal and cultural constraints:

• time factor;
• pride;
• family opposition (cultural);
• family commitments;
• overprotective parents.

Anxiety and embarrassment:

• fear (2X);*
• low self-esteem;
• self-consciousness and embarrassment;
• lack of confidence;
• big risk to reveal ignorance at initial interview;
• fear of labelling at assessment time;
• easier to stay away.

Past school experiences:

• failure to see use of schooling in light of past negative experiences (3X);*
• easier to compensate for low literacy skills rather than to correct them (2X).*

Low perceived need and distractions:

• other things seem more important;
• outside influences compete more successfully for time.

Institutional constraints:

• intimidation by educational institutions (4X);*
• unconscious, insidious stance of educators to be "controllers" of the game;
• scheduling not conducive to attendance.

Instructional strategies:

• classroom activity distracting;
• difficulty in working in a group.

Lack of support systems:

• lack of transportation (3X);*
• lack of daycare (3X);*
• lack of counselling (2X);*
• lack of awareness of programs (2X).*

Structural:

• lack of appropriate programs (2X).*