Reading Culture in The World Today

The importance of acquiring reading skills for individual's success in life cannot be over-emphasized. It is a well known fact that when there were no televisions, handsets and computers, people spent hours reading books and traveled to lands far away in their minds. The problem is that with time, people have lost their passion to read because there are several other exciting options available, aside from books these days. This is a shame because reading offers a productive approach to improving vocabulary and word power. The acquisition of reading skills does not only affect or improve confidence in language arts, but also in other subjects such as social studies, science, and mathematics and so on. Poor reading skill can make a child develop poor attitude to school and it can create self-esteem problems later in life. How about Adults?

Reading is an active mental process: Unlike TV, books make you use your brain. By reading, you think more and become smarter. It is a fundamental skill builder: Every good course on the planet has a matching book to go with it. Why? Because book help clarify difficult concepts. Books provide information that goes deeper than just classroom discussions. Improves your vocabulary: While reading books, especially challenging ones, you will find yourself exposed to many new words. Gives you a glimpse into other cultures and places: Books can expand your horizons by letting you see what other cities, countries, and cultures seem like and what they have to offer. Other advantage of reading include improving concentration and focus, building self-esteem, improving memory, learning ability to aid independently, improving creativity, giving you something to talk about, reducing stress, and finally you will make more money in reading. gives reasons why people read thus: a) Reading is a tool of self improvement leading to do-it-yourself techniques acquisition, equipping oneself with skills for better job. b) Reading for pleasure and relaxation. c) Reading is status symbols - this involves the prestige and value society places on reading rather than nothing. According to several studies show a disturbing relationship between reading/early literacy and child's emotional, mental health and social behaviour. 

A study done in the United State of America, showed that reading was correlated with the delinquency independent of neighborhood, ethnicity, and family involvement effects, was the same in both ethnic groups sampled and was constant over the age range studies. The degree of seriousness of delinquent act was directly correlated to the degree of severity of reading problem. In order words, the more serious the reading problem, the more serious the delinquent acts. The study also showed that early in the primary grades, children who are struggling with literacy begin to experience failure, and with it a potentially devastating cascade of related negative effects in their development of inter-and-intra-personal skills. These effects can include task-avoidance and acting out social behaviours, lowered levels of personal regard, and seeking of personal validation in venues less pro-social than school.

In Nigeria, a study carried out, reveals that 40 percent of adult Nigerians never read a non-fiction book from cover to cover after they finished school. The average Nigerian reads less than one book per year, in fact only one percent of successful men and women in Nigeria read one nonfiction book per month. In the same study, 30 million Nigerians have graduated from high school with poor reading skills. 

They are simply lazy, they are surrounded by so many distractions, especially television, radio, social activities while others never get around doing any serious reading. Some Nigerians do not read probably because they are not working in the right field(s). If regular reading and studying is a required condition of your job or profession, this in effect means you read, but under duress. This is so because people have not been told or realized how important reading is.

Co-author: Smears L.

Author's Note

This was a research work. Can help someone out there.

Reviews

[DIVYA]

Thank you for this thougtful piece. Reading it I pondered whether today's environment is conducive to teading, with all its distractions. Indeed, reading is a discipline, even an art that if painstakingly cultivated could preserve our heritage and culture. So well written dear Mirror!

[Mirror]

Yes, Div. It is a discipline. Yes, too much distractions too. Thank you for reading Div. Thanks

[wordman]

it is a known fact if parents would insist their children read a book weely it would change their lives great wisdom my friend

[Mirror]

Yes my dearest friend. very true. That is what I and Coyote just shared. Parents do help. But in wide consideration, are the children also ready to be helped? If the parents do their part, how about the society? Hmm. We can't control the world and it vices, but God help us, we do still have good writers and readers like you around. I am glad to have you as a friend, My Wordman. "Kisses.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree with you 100%. In my youth. At eight years old. I was reading Jack London books cover to cover. I thirst for knowledge. I wanted to understand my world and learn about new places. Today kids. Accept opinions without seeking the real truth. Books have been my friends for many years. A worthwhile and needed flow of words and thoughts. Thank you dear friend for sharing and reading.
Coyote

[Mirror]

Coyote, those years are not so far apart. What makes the mirage distance is rapid growth of technology. But does that make technology bad? no. In fact, it makes it easier to read, especially audio books. without technology, i wouldn't be discussing your amazing talent of writing with you right now on this forum. but the decline in reading culture today stems back to parenthood and roots into the community. Back here, at home, when i was but 9 years, I usually read by 2 a:m in my living room and my mum will leave her bed and sleep off on the coach just to be by side in the living room every night i read. Parents help create balance as we grow into academic, career, health, social world. Coyote, you may be older than I, but what makes us feel the world is never old is reading and writing for readers - just a cycle. Knowledge indeed is anti-aging drug. Thanks for reading. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my friend. I love reading and I read everything I can daily.

[H L Rose]

This was cool to read. I've always found reading important and it is nice to hear there is evidence that shows just how important it is. I think you found some really good evidence to get your point across.
If I was giving any critiques, I would mention that perhaps stating the sources you used would help to validate your points. Also if you had a clear conclusion. It seemed to end a bit abruptly.
I'm really happy I came across this writing. I'm going to go read a book now!

[Mirror]

Thank you ma, the point noted. it is a full research work. maybe i should have posted abstract and give foot notes citation. i felt since i am applying it as a story, citation will make it too formal and nerdy. thank you for reading. good readers are definitely good writers. i have read your work and it is good. and you are the first to read this story, it means you - are - good!

[H L Rose]

Thanks! I'm sure you are a reader if you wrote this so dito!