Aliteracy: Difference between revisions
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Aliteracy is when people have the ability to read, but simply choose not to. This has become exceptionally common recently as many aspects of modern culture are "more visual", pushing people to choose not to read, "especially not to read books". A lot of the reading people do now is efferent reading (reading done for the purpose of gaining information) rather than aesthetic reading done simply as a hobby or for pleasure. While many still read on social media platforms and even through simple tasks like texting, experts still worry that the significant decline in reading for pleasure is likely to be passed on to future generations. This is because parents "are the most important reading role models for children" and their lack of reading can result in aliteracy for their children as well (Solveig 317).<ref>Robinson, Solveig C. ''The Book in Society : An Introduction to Print Culture''. Peterborough, Broadview Press, 2014, p. 317.</ref> | Aliteracy is when people have the ability to read, but simply choose not to. This has become exceptionally common recently as many aspects of modern culture are "more visual", pushing people to choose not to read, "especially not to read books". A lot of the reading people do now is efferent reading (reading done for the purpose of gaining information) rather than aesthetic reading done simply as a hobby or for pleasure. While many still read on social media platforms and even through simple tasks like texting, experts still worry that the significant decline in reading for pleasure is likely to be passed on to future generations. This is because parents "are the most important reading role models for children" and their lack of reading can result in aliteracy for their children as well (Solveig 317).<ref>Robinson, Solveig C. ''The Book in Society : An Introduction to Print Culture''. Peterborough, Broadview Press, 2014, p. 317.</ref> | ||
One organization known as the Public Lending Right (PLR), recently found that the amount of adults borrowing books from libraries has fallen significantly just within the past decade. This | One organization known as the Public Lending Right (PLR), recently found that the amount of adults borrowing books from libraries has fallen significantly just within the past decade. This decline can especially be seen with "adult borrowing of fiction--a key component of pleasure reading" (Solveig 317). <ref>Robinson, Solveig C. ''The Book in Society : An Introduction to Print Culture''. Peterborough, Broadview Press, 2014, p. 317.</ref> Libraries play a major role in forming literary communities for people of all ages and without consistent support from the public, a lot of these communities will diminish as well and may even fizzle out completely. | ||
== Efforts to Encourage Reading == | == Efforts to Encourage Reading == | ||
Revision as of 10:27, 11 October 2025
Aliteracy is when people have the ability to read, but simply choose not to. This has become exceptionally common recently as many aspects of modern culture are "more visual", pushing people to choose not to read, "especially not to read books". A lot of the reading people do now is efferent reading (reading done for the purpose of gaining information) rather than aesthetic reading done simply as a hobby or for pleasure. While many still read on social media platforms and even through simple tasks like texting, experts still worry that the significant decline in reading for pleasure is likely to be passed on to future generations. This is because parents "are the most important reading role models for children" and their lack of reading can result in aliteracy for their children as well (Solveig 317).[1]
One organization known as the Public Lending Right (PLR), recently found that the amount of adults borrowing books from libraries has fallen significantly just within the past decade. This decline can especially be seen with "adult borrowing of fiction--a key component of pleasure reading" (Solveig 317). [2] Libraries play a major role in forming literary communities for people of all ages and without consistent support from the public, a lot of these communities will diminish as well and may even fizzle out completely.
Efforts to Encourage Reading
On a more positive note, there are many organizations that still exist today fostering literary communities both in the digital world and in reality. Oprah's Book Club, which includes millions of Oprah Winfrey's viewers, encourages people around the world to read a book a month and "tune in to a special discussion of it, often with the author present as a special guest on the show". Even if people haven't actually read those books, Winfrey still "assure[s] her readers" that "anyone [can] benefit just from listening in on a conversation about books" (Solveig 328). [4] To this day, Winfrey continues to encourage reading everywhere and she even works with a variety of publishers to help market books that she finds thought-provoking.[5]
Notes
- ↑ Robinson, Solveig C. The Book in Society : An Introduction to Print Culture. Peterborough, Broadview Press, 2014, p. 317.
- ↑ Robinson, Solveig C. The Book in Society : An Introduction to Print Culture. Peterborough, Broadview Press, 2014, p. 317.
- ↑ Winfrey, Oprah. “Oprah Daily - Life Advice, Beauty Tips, Wellness, Entertainment.” Oprah Daily, www.oprahdaily.com.
- ↑ Robinson, Solveig C. The Book in Society : An Introduction to Print Culture. Peterborough, Broadview Press, 2014, p. 328.
- ↑ Winfrey, Oprah. “Oprah Daily - Life Advice, Beauty Tips, Wellness, Entertainment.” Oprah Daily, www.oprahdaily.com.
