What is happening in our society when studies show that there is a significant decline in reading? As a substitute teacher, I frequently hear kids talking about the latest movie they saw, or listening to a cd once their work is completed. Whenever they have free time, this is how they spend it. Out of every class I have taught, maybe one or two kids I will find reading a book. It appears that most kids would be interested in watching tv, listening to music or watching a movie.
It is a sad time in our society when reading is no longer valued and cherished. According to a government study titled "Reading at Risk: A survey of Literary Reading in America", "less than half of the adult population now reads literature, and these trends reflect a larger decline in other sorts of reading." Less than half! Yet, bookstores seem to do well in our society. Is it possible that less than half of the American population is keeping bookstores going? I can see it being possible. If less than half of the population is reading and loves reading, they will continuously be buying books. If they do this on a continuous basis, I think it's entirely possible to keep America's bookstores going. That is, the new bookstores. What about the used bookstores however? I know of at least one here locally that just isn't cutting the mustard any longer. Their business has been in doubt for about a year. I tend to frequent it, however, whenever I do go in, there are only a handful at a time. Granted, that is only one time of the day however.
Among the age group having the greatest decline was 18-24 year old adults. The decline for this group, says the government study, was 55% This is particularly frightening given that these young adults will grow up and likely become parents at some point. If these young adults are losing interest in reading, will they, in fact, encourage it in their children? Sociologically speaking, the family is the largest socialization factor in a child's life. As the child gets older, they may find other sources to have greater influence on them, but, the family is still the largest factor for a few years.
The government study examines what is to blame for the drop off in reading. Undoubtedly, you may be able to guess several of the themes. We are living in a world of the internet, e-mail and digital television and movies. This, according to Dawn Vaughn president of the American Association of School Librarians. However, she does all she can at her school in Denver, Colorado to encourage reading. The library there allows students to check out unlimited numbers of books throughout summer. This, she says, has increased participation from 150 students to 500 in just three years time. That's quite a significant jump to be truthful. These clearly are kids that are interested in reading. Many schools, however, may not have the ability to fund such things. Many schools may not have the funds to keep a school library open all summer much less pay a staff to be there. However, this is where public libaries can really put in an effort to boost reading. Many public libaries have summer programs to try to get kids interested in reading, and, they should be congratulated for that!
However, many kids are still parking in front of the tv, the computer or their video game play system instead of reading. Reading is apparently not as cool as the latest video games. However, it is these competing forces that librarians hope to use to be able to engage kids in reading. Kids who are engaged in reading will become adults who are engaged in reading. Adults who are engaged in reading will likely encourage their children to read as well.
However, there is more to this than simply trying to encourage kids to read. There are certainly many examples of books out there that have encouraged children to read. The most prominant example is the Harry Potter books. Kids have increased their reading because of this one series of books. They are frequently used in schools now to encourage reading. Even the first book is as popular at the newest one at the book check out desk.
However, adults who do not read, likely do so for many of the same reasons that many children don't read. They have too many other things to compete with to take time to read. Many see reading as boring, it takes too long, perhaps they don't have great reading skills. However, adults who engage in literacy programs to gain better skills not only become better readers, they have many other positive outcomes as well including: obtaining better paying jobs, raising their self esteem, becoming more involved in their families and communities and tend to vote more, according to a report published by Pro-Literacy America.
However, getting back strictly to adults and reading, many adults would rather watch a movie than read a book. Reading a book takes too long, it's too detailed, it's boring. However, reading is better than most Hollywood movies. Why? Simply because a human's imagination is better than anything any Hollywood director, producer or movie company can put together! We, as humans, can imagine so much more than what is visually presented to us through many different mediums including digital animation, video game graphics, television and movies.
Plus, how many times have you read a book, then saw a movie of the same book, then were disappointed with the movie because it wasn't the way you were picturing it when you were reading it? Most people who don't read tend to like the movie and say a movie goes quicker than a book anyway. But why not try reading anyway? Why do you take a story as the director sees it? Why do you allow them to dictate how they want you to see something? Why not allow yourself to mentally picture it for yourself?
Many say that books are not cheap. Well, if you compare the price of a book to going to the movie once, then yes, books are more expensive. But, a movie is usually done in a couple of hours. Not many people read so quickly as to finish a book in two hours. For most readers, it takes several days, maybe a week or two to complete a book. That's cheap entertainment. But, it's one that allows you to become interested in a story, allows you to picture the events for yourself and allows you to engage your mind in some good old fashioned imagination.
One doesn't have to get books that are brand new. Used bookstores are a tresure trove of good reading. Many books are still in good condidtion, and, cheap. Plus, many people recycle those books by trading them back in for other books. Some of the books are books that you just can't find elsewhere. Or, you may be able to find that book that you haven't seen in years and hadn't given thought to until you saw it there in that used bookstore.
It is laregely underestimated how important reading is for everyone. Reading is definitly in decline. It is not seen as being as valuable as it used to be. That is a sad thing in our society. Everyone deserves to read a good book. Reading is something that should be fun and relaxing. Before tv and movies became widespread, it was another way of escaping your everyday complicated world. In a world that is becoming increasingly complicated, and tv and movies having poorly written stories as well as poor character development and detail, reading is something we can turn to, to better spend our time.
So why not? Expand your imagination. Spend some quiet time doing something that you will enjoy, and, who knows? Maybe you'll learn something too. Pick up a book. Start reading America, you'll never know how good it is until you try!
