When I was young I remember hiding under my covers (just once in a while), torch in hand, finishing off that book that just couldn't be left alone. It wasn't that my parents didn't like me reading, they just rather I went to bed when I was supposed to.
I often wonder whether any kids still do this nowadays. Or is it more likely that secret reading will be secret from their peers because its considered 'uncool'? Are there some young people out there who don't admit to their parents that they read because that would made them feel too "daggy". Are these even words that they would understand, or relate to anymore?
Why is reading not always appreciated by young people anyway? For me it was almost like a way of exploring new worlds from the comfort of my own bedroom. But I guess that there are so many more visual ways of doing that now, through the internet or computer games as well as movies, that some might consider books redundant in that department.
And then there's the 'problem' that reading is so pushed at primary school. Of course it's great to make sure everyone can read (and write), but if you're always reading boring reading scheme books then you're not going to understand the attraction of reading. Of course, many schools also balance this with exciting story-time books, and encouraging reading at home with parents/carers. But, if the focus is simply on vocabularly and phonics, then this can easily be lost (especially if reading at home is neglected as well).
Then children get to secondary school and books can easily become work. In English books are constantly analysed and a poor reader could easily spend all their time just looking at material set in class. A good reader is often envied by their peers and considered a swat. Under these conditions, how many people would want to admit that they love reading?
I know that not all schools are like those I've mentioned (there are lots of great reading-friendly ones), and not all young people hate or hide their reading, but sadly the picture I've created seems to be the case for far too many. I guess my question is what, if anything, has changed and why?
Logging you in...
Mozette · 669 weeks ago
As I hit high grades and high school, I found that being a reader labeled me a 'square' and a 'weirdo' by a lot of kids. Nobody understood the love and passion I had - and still have - for books and the written word. But when it came to being in the classroom, I remember I'd be leagues ahead of them all; something they hated about me, even if I did try to help by asking if they'd like to be tutored in English.
Now, I have no children of my own; however I can influence my niece who has taken after me with her passion for reading, something I instilled in her from a very young age. She loves to read and look at the books I'm reading and find out what kinds of books I'm hoping to read soon. I love to find out what she loves to read as well... and keep her up to date with magazines that will keep her up to speed with reading good books. I've actually gone to great lengths to get her to read some classics that may be studied in her high school. And if they're not, I have still given them to her and asked her to read them when she can over the next few years. Her Mum is impressed I've given her great books like 'My Place' by Sally Morgan and 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee (even though I didn't like the latter and never have really gotten into it even now) so she can get an idea of what will be expected of her in the high grades in English. Her Dad is happy with the books I'm giving her too; as she's only 12 years old. I said that by the time she's 17, I'd like her to be reading horror so she can be okay with books from all genres; he said he'd think about it. In truth, I don't wish for her to turn out like one of my friends who turns green at the sight of blood or horror movies or the mention of anything the slightest bit gory... as my niece wants to be a writer; so must know how to describe things of beauty as well as the most disgusting and gory things as well.
So, reading shouldn't really be a secret from anyone. If people - no matter how old - don't like reading, it's just a matter of taste. But I have found that it's also a family and surroundings influence. If your family doesn't read, you won't get into it either. I've seen it happen in one family where the Grandmother didn't read and neither did the mother, so none of the kids read any books. It was rather sad.
Abigail_Ann 57p · 669 weeks ago
It's so important to share our love of reading with those younger than us. Maybe we can even help those whose families don't read to get into it (or at least understand that it can be enjoyable and/or useful).
My recent post Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett (A Review)