Have you seen these images online? Here’s one.
It looks like James is going to have a better life than Travis. Which, in reality, is true, or at least according to reading researchers.
But what I’ve always not liked about these posters is that there’s no joy in them. Reading is hard work and must be forced like a chore.
If you’re a parent, the right thing to do is to tell your child to go to her room to force read while you finish watching TV.
Here’s another:
I suppose they could be worse. And there’s nothing wrong with giving parents the facts — that like anything else (practicing piano, playing sports, eating vegetables), a daily habit is the best approach.
But why don’t these images ever have interesting books on them? Or joyful readers? Or parents reading alongside their children?
Why is it a totally normal thing for parents to read to their kids until their kids can read…and then stop entirely afterward, replacing that reading with reading demands and reading logs?
Yes, I know: Parents are busy. But it’s 20 minutes, right?
You’re cruel. You let parents force their children to do ridiculous things even if it’s not in a child’s favor. At least your forum entertained me. Someone doesn’t gain willpower by reading crap that someone wouldn’t like. Force. If the child doesn’t like that then it will grow terrible relationships.
Also, screw vocabulary. What’s the point of communicating if you learn words people wouldn’t know. The point of talking is to communicate, not to learn kiss my butt for saying these smart ass words. Who cares.
What does reading words also have to do with a better life? You don’t explain or back up anything
Hello, Beyondthe, and thank you for your thoughts. I think we agree — that reading shouldn’t be forced on young people. It isn’t medicine or a good-for-you. Adults should try to connect young people to stories they might enjoy.
Reading isn’t the only way to be smart. There is other reading, called the Internet. It may be just be, but I’m an straight-A student with all advanced classes in middle school. All of middle school. I think it’s because I don’t spend my time with books, but by reading scientific studies online, or news stories on politics and global events. I guess it’s still considered reading, but according to my school, it isn’t rewarded. Right now, my teachers force me to read, so it’s like a chore. I may be the only one here, but because people force me to do it, when I get older, and not in school, I’ll be sure to stay 50 miles away from the nearest library. I have grown to hate reading because of people forcing me to, so please reward kids for reading, and give them access to it. Find other ways to make them read, BUT DON’T FORCE IT.
Excellent points, Some Guy. I think you and I agree. My post was to challenge this idea that adults (teachers and parents) should force their children to read. Reading does matter, but young people should be able to choose most of what they read. Plus, there needs to be access to a ton of great reading material. There is currently a debate about whether books are more “worthy” than individual articles on the Internet. I read both, and I can see your point that reading news stories online can and should be seen as worthy, just like books. Thank you again for your thoughtful response.
I think that people should definitely be forced to read. But I also think that no matter who it is, you should be able to pick what you read no matter what. I try to explain to people who are like me and hate reading, that it’s nice to read sometimes. But not when its forced. And especially not when the books are picked for me. I want to pick my own book, and how long I read it and how much of it I read. If I cannot get interested in the book, do you really think i’ll be able to read it regardless of how much I try to force myself? I don’t think so. If i’m not interested, it isn’t getting read.
HEY your cruel just to do that reading like that can have a HUGE toll on your mental health besides if im going to school reading allday WHY THE F— do i need to read again thats what i hate about oldheads like you, you refuse to ADAPT TO THE MODERN DAY SOCIETY
Thank you for your opinion, Jaden. The title of this post is sarcastic. Farther down you’ll see that you and I probably agree on many things. Question: When you say that oldheads like me refuse to adapt, do you mean that reading is no longer important in “the modern day society?”