In this article, we explore the relationship between adult education and socioeconomic precariousness, through extending existing scholarship regarding the concept of the hidden curriculum. We analyze transcripts of 134 qualitative interviews undertaken to explore the learning experiences associated with reading self-help books in the domains of career and financial success, health and well-being, and interpersonal relationships. We find that, in addition to facilitating learning connected to the reasons for which people seek out books, self-help reading encourages people to be positive, optimistic, and confident; to stop thinking negatively; and to change their interpretation of themselves and their lives. We argue that the hidden curriculum of positive thinking both reflects and reproduces the cultural logic of precariousness that characterizes contemporary labor markets and domestic relationships, and we encourage adult educators to apply the concept of hidden curriculum to the critical study of other forms of educational practice.

中文翻译：

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积极思考的力量：不稳定时期的隐藏课程

在本文中，我们将通过扩展有关隐藏课程概念的现有奖学金来探讨成人教育与社会经济不稳定之间的关系。我们分析了134个定性访谈的笔录，以探讨与阅读自助书籍有关的学习经验，这些书籍涉及职业和财务上的成功，健康和福祉以及人际关系。我们发现，除了促进与人们寻找书籍的原因有关的学习之外，自助阅读还鼓励人们变得积极，乐观和自信。停止消极思考；并改变他们对自己和生活的理解。