ABSTRACT This is a paper on adult education and learning activities within the neighbourhood that pays special attention to the social networks of the individual. It starts off with the thesis that life circumstances and social networks (especially family and neighbourhood) have a greater influence upon the understanding of the role and importance of education then age. We have analysed the quantitative and qualitative data from the research on social networks of the elderly in Slovenia and focused on two generations (parents and grandparents) at two different points in time (1987 and 2005). We have established that regardless of the various external encouragements, the most important factors for further learning are family values and the individual's attitude towards learning that is formed throughout life and is influenced by social networks.