On the Hatred of Literature

On a Teacher Librarian forum, I recently read an article entitled On the Hatred of Literature. I was more curious and found an article from The New Yorker, focusing on why people don't read.

While the article focuses on American reading habits, there is some information relevant to those here in Australia.

When I was at school during the 1990's, there was no social media, the internet took the entire decade to penetrate into Australian homes and then it was slow because a telephone line was required as part of a connection.

Not to mention, Pay-TV was in its infancy, computer gaming was nowhere as advanced as it is now and no streaming media.

If you wanted to read a newspaper or magazine, you had to go to the newsagency and purchase it in person. No electronic editions were available.

Technology has eaten away at time that could be used for reading and that even includes the rise of social media.

One argument I may question is read by socioeconomic status where it is claimed that those that are more financially well off are more likely to read than those in lower socioeconomic classes. It does interest me from experience how those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds tend to be sometimes the most committed readers in our schools or those who speak English as an additional dialect.

But what about the busy nature of lives? Does that have a part in it? I think so.  There is so much competing for ones time, work and leisure related

The article doesn't mention about reading and performance at school even though the two are linked to each other.

It does remind me that I have to promote reading as a fun activity which can be just as entertaining as what is screened through our television sets and screens.  I make sure that books that I recommend reflect student needs and interests. Forcing students to read a particular type of book will not help them.

People will read if we talk about reading. I feel more keen to read if I am talking to people about what they read. It's usually the best source of finding out what is worth reading or not.

I think time management comes into play as well. I always have told students that there are ample opportunities to read in their daily routine. Many students in Sydney commute on public transport. The door is open up to read a book instead of texting their friend/s on the phone or to pass the time while they wait for a late train or bus to turn up.