When you think of the things you take for granted, what do you think of? Do you think of technology, clothing or a safe place to sleep at night? What about the ability to read this article? Illiteracy has been putting people at a disadvantage since the beginning of recorded history. If you think illiteracy ended with the abolition of slavery or that problems like illiteracy do not exist in America you are wrong. Thirty-two million adults, 14 percent of the population, are illiterate, according to the 2014 U.S. Department of Education and National Institute of Literacy-data.
As cliché as the saying may be, educational attainment is the key to success in life. Without the ability to read, learning and communicating are far more challenging. In addition, people are taken advantage of with ease and cannot understand important documents such as contracts. As if that is not enough, voting is impossible for illiterate individuals. Not being able to accomplish basic tasks like reading a prescription bottle, earning a GED or filling out a job application is referred to as being functionally illiterate. Approximately 16 percent of adults in Alabama fall into this category, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Literacy also expands to the ability to read and understand a map, allowing for an individual to understand their location in the world and where they stand in relation to global events. “50 percent of Americans aged 18-24 can’t find the state of New York on a blank map,” National Geographic says.
While we expect every child to be taught sufficient reading skills in school, this is not true. “19 percent of high school graduates can’t read,” according to a study led by the U.S. Department of Education and National Institute of Literacy in 2014. The data also demonstrates that “21 percent of adults in the U.S. read below a 5th grade level.” Furthermore, children without reading skills grow into adults that have children of their own. Illiteracy prevents these adults from helping their children with more advanced homework and the cycle is endless as a result. Of course, it can be broken but not without willpower.
The gap between those who can and can’t read is both an educational and a socio-economical issue. In the state of Alabama, Shelby County with its wealthy Birmingham suburbs and well-funded schools projects the lowest illiteracy rate, 7 percent, while Bullock County displays the highest, 34 percent. This data from The Gadsden Times brings to attention the vicious cycle of illiteracy and poverty. “Failure to obtain a job leads to poverty, continuous poverty lowers educational opportunities and lack of education keeps the illiteracy rate high and rising.”
One of my favorite quotes and one of the most true to date is Mark Twain’s “A person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t.” Many people see reading as “nerdy” or “lame,” yet, reading is one of the most incredible and useful skills we possess. It has been proven in numerous studies that reading for pleasure is directly correlated with good grades. Not only do children who read daily display higher vocabulary and mathematic skills but they are able to reason and utilize logic at far higher levels than those who don’t read or only read when they are forced, according to data from the Reading Agency. Reading also serves as a mental escape or an outlet during stressful times and can provide readers knowledge of other cultures, languages and skill sets they may not otherwise be aware of.
As you can see, reading is detrimental in being a functioning part of society. You may hate to read, and you may think of a million activities you would rather participate in. That’s okay; this article is not meant to convince you to read more often or to change your hobbies. With that being said, next time you think about declaring war on words after you are assigned a miserable book report, take a moment and reflect on how lucky you are to be able to read. Think of how 84.1 percent of the world’s population can’t read, many of who will probably never obtain the knowledge to do so. Lastly, think of how difficult your life would be without the ability to read. As Americans and college students, we take for granted many things. I hope that after reading this article, you will take a step back and be thankful for the blessings in disguise at work in our daily lives, like literacy.
By Kalen Huggins
