Today's children are reading less than seven years ago as their time

A friend sent me this link : http://uk.news.yahoo.com/children-read-less-2005-230401566.html

Hmmmm Perhaps it's a case of smart phones make stupid kids that grow up into stupid adults?

 

I think it depends on the individual.

Technology is avaliable so easily, so many family homes will have a computer, tv, smart phone etc.

I hated reading when I was younger but as I left school and became my own person I realised that I really liked reading, I felt forced to read in school and it was always boring books that I had no interest in, once I left I was free to just read whatever I wanted without having to analyse it and do tests about it. But I've learnt a lot from TV, computers etc as well, by having access to the internet I have access to almost any information I need. And documentaries on TV can be cool too.

Technology is becoming the norm for kids nowadays, half of them don't know any different.

 

I use to hate reading as a kid. I never read books, magazines, comics, or anything. It was not until I was 19 or so, that I started to read for entertainment.

 

It's a stoning offense in today's society if anyone dares say a single solitary word against "technology." And questioning it is even more unspeakable. It's the new fucking religion.

Fuck it!! I'll say what should be said and everyone can kiss my ass if they don't like it.

Simple fact is that if whatever reason someone cares to give; if they don't regularly read, they're dumber than those that do. Even comic books are better than nothing. And in the case of those that CAN'T read, the majority of them would be the first to contest to their lack of intelligence.

On a similar note,
In life you either know how to whipe your own ass or you don't. I don't care if some geek invents a start trek type of transporter to beam the turds off the ass. If a child is raised only using such a device then they don't know how to whipe their own ass. The only smart fucker is the geek that invented the transporter.

In the old days the teachers were right to take away the calculators from the children. Learn to do it yourself and learn to use your own brain before developing a dependancy on the gadgets.

So heres my prediction,

In the next few years we're going to see mass hords of functional idiots. Stupid morons that can't take care of themselves or hold a decent conversation. Sure they'll be able to make whatever gizmo they depend on dance and whipe their ass. But the moment they drop the thing they'll revert back to being useless loosers.

 

If you count the internet, kids are reading a lot more than ever before.

I've never understood the big fuss about reading anyhow tho. Some people just happen to prefer TV or video games. One form of entertainment isn't any more superior than the other. Whatever makes you happy.

 

One form of entertainment isn't any more superior than the other.

Bed go up
Bed go down

Bed go up
Bed go down

Bed go up
Bed go down

From the Odessy and the Iliad to Springfield. Homer certainly got around a hell of a lot.

 

I agree with the above posters who said they didn't read much in school.. As i didn't either.. It's pretty easy to be turned off by reading when you're forced to read stuff that you have absolutely no interest in.. these days I own a lot more books than i ever did when i was in school.. Schooling doesn't take in the interests of the students.. they take in the interest of the tax payers and lobbyists..

Also.. I never have looked at books as a form of entertainment.. i find reading a book for entertainment to be as boring as watching paint dry.. if i want to be entertained i head outside or i watch TV.. play a game... watch a movie.. i look to books for information.. but that's me

 

If we sent kids to school to teach them to eat, sleep, breathe, talk and go to the bathroom, it'd be a miracle if they didn't spend the rest of their lives refusing to do all of those things.

 

I have always read. In school I didn't give a shit about what was assigned,but I used to bring dozens of books home from the city library,even in grammer school. I love to read and those who do will understand how you can see the scenes,the characters,how the plot lines lead you to other places,maybe other times,and the enjoyment of a turn of phrase here and there. Some authors are better than others(duh!) at taking me where they want me to go,so it pays to try new ones to see how they express themselves.

There is obviously a huge amount of information available to anyone on the net, but information is just that-helpfull but pretty dry. There's nothing like cozying up with a GOOD book when it's raining and cold outside ,to take me to say- a harrowing boat trip to South America WITH the protaganist/s to rescue someone and develope serious problems with a cartel,(did it)or to Europe for some international intrigue,(did it)or as one of my current favorite authors does,create a man that is so implacable-so unstoppable and who countinually solves serious problems he gets into ,as he hitchhikes around the US(in an extremely efficient manner!!!). So,if one can let the imagination fly and focus-----experiences,by proxy ,of course---can be had by all!!

 

I posted as I did to perhaps give some incentive to someone-anyone, to get into the enjoyable pastime of mind traveling. However ,since I'm not a writer--maybe it won't take.

 

Interesting points,

But I tend to think that all this tech. is helping us to become smarter, information at our fingertips.

It's just how we choose to use that information.

I also think parents play a role in kids reading too, if the parent doesn't encourage it as well in the home. I'm even talking kids see mum and dad reading something. I'm always buying my boys books,magazines.

 

I have been in homes where not a book-not a magazine was in sight. Odd to me. I do appreciate the web for getting facts.

 

^ And that itself it part of the problem. Sad.

 

I have enjoyed reading for entertainment since i learned how to read.
I have collections of books from my dr seuss to my child chapter books to the books i like to read now.... For the longest time anyone ask me what i wanted for birthdays, christmas anything i just said books. Asked me if i wanted anything else and i just wanted books.

I love to read for entertainment i find it relaxes me.
Sometimes fantasy books are good to excape from reality for a few hours...
Nothing like getting into a good book and not being able to put it down... but thats just me.

I couldn't imagine a household without any books or anything like that.

In school i didn't like the boring stories i was forced to read but i still did them it was whatever. English/literature were my favorite subjects in school. I still was sure to pull out my personal book on down time in school and at home. I even joined a library club in school where we all decide on a book together and read it in a certain time and then we had lunch toether and would discuss the book LOL it was fun to me. I love books. I can go into a bookstore and spend ohhhh sooo much money on books!!!! I even love the smell of a new book.


And the kids in my life i am always sure to buy them new books.
My baby brother has so many books and i teach him to love and care for his books.

 

I'm afraid I totally agree with you...

and with scratcho saying it being odd to go in a home where not a book, not a magazine in sight. (We probably have several thousand.)

I have a few (extended family) "neices" and through them I know some other teenagers. In one particular family, the mother unfortunately is never going to astound anybody with her reading skills (or intelligence). The girls in this home are so far behind where I was at that age, I think it is pathetic. When you see how they express themselves on fb (yeah, I know, EVIL LIVES :mickey it just makes me cringe. So much of it does go back to what is encouraged at home, and the knowledge/intelligence/habits of the parent(s). The other half is that the kids are able to get away with it at school...no child left behind = entire generation of semi-literate, can't do math kids that really won't be able to perform well on any job outside of menial labor.

 

I know I already said this but kids are reading more than ever before. They're just doing it online instead of reading comics and Teen Beat magazine like when I was growing up. When I was in kindergarted we just played with toys and sang songs. Today 5 year olds are writing book reports. More kids are graduating from H.S. and going to college than ever. It's become an expectation. It isn't a big deal anymore if Johnny gets into college. It's considered some sort of tragedy if he doesn't. Also, the plots and story lines to TV shows have become a lot more complex and sophisticated than in the past. TV is a lot more mentally stimulating now than when I was growing up. So are video games. Compare the games kids play today to Pac Man and Atari.

I really wouldn't worry about all this.

 

They should give out weed to kids in order to make them read. haha Sort of a joke, sort of not. I'm a huge fan of the arts and imagination, but I always found reading to be a big chore. Like a REALLY BIG CHORE.

It wasn't until I smoked up, went outside, and tried reading that I really got into it more recently. I felt like I could read like a normal person, and I didn't have to spend ages stuck on a page trying to understand all the depth and meaning. Major increase in visualization and creativity, too.

Too bad my stash is out. I wanted to try reading "Alice in Wonderland" at some point. Reading high makes a WHOLE world of difference. Not that Ritalin crap.

Kids should stay away from magazines and TV completely, though. (Unless it's an arts, music or nature magazine.) The Internet at least involves critical thinking skills, and more freedom of choice. But even then, don't expose it to them too fast.

 

Agreed here,

Before kids were lucky to graduate high school and if they did that was the best. Then they got the job and married the high school sweet heart by 19 kids at 20......

Some of the puzzler games today have been known to work in hospitals, even the Wii as a form of Rehab in nursing homes.


I'd also like to point out to not be so quick to judge a person by not having books in the house..... my collection has gone digital