Reading books has reduced dramatically in today's youth. Kids who read books are treated as socially incapable nerds. What is your take on this topic?
I agree to the first point. Reading has definitely radically decreased among the youth. There are many reasons behind that. Fore mostly, I believe the availability of technology and gadgets is responsible for it. A child who just learned how to speak knows what an iPhone is. A few months more and he can very well run all the latest smartphones, tablets and notebooks. Do you think that when so many alluring and addictive games are available them, they will bother to read?
I’m not sure if by reading, we are just catching up with fiction readers or curriculum reading as well. So I’ll just be pointing towards the fiction readers.
Most of the guys I know hate reading novels. They either think of it as a wastage of time or too dull to interest them. Everybody has different views and I cannot challenge them over anything. I have been a reader since childhood. While kids were busy in watching cartoons and shaktiman, I devoured Champak and Nandan. With time the books changed to Diamond Comics, Raj Comics and Archies substituted with Goosebumps, Spooksville, Famous Five and Hardy Boys in school. I read my first fiction when I was in eleventh standard. It was The Da Vinci Code.
What I’m trying to say is that my parents created a base for me (especially my mother who loved reading as well; not so much now). They gave me books and soon I started loving them. But these days, children get gadgets and thus they start loving them only. Even if not gadgets, the television is filled with idiotic cartoons to keep them busy the whole day. When you have no roots or foundation for something, you will never grow fond of that thing.
Coming to the second point, probably some people might treat the book readers as nerds but that should not be a concern. You can always call a gadget lover as freak to balance out the things right? But I won’t fully agree with this nerd statement. I mean, I have been a book reader for long and so far I feel that girls like guys who read books. So why do you care. As far as girls are concerned, we guys like readers. So why do you care as well.
Books broadens up your mind. People say that reading a fiction is merely a waste of time. But I believe it enhances your creativity. You get to know a hell lot of things. Your mind opens up to several thoughts that you never knew existed. Reading can never be a wastage of time.
Lastly, I support reading. It is blissful. Isn’t it awesome to live in a bit of a fantasy world for a while when the real life is so much hectic and strenuous?
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36 comments
Write commentsI agree , younger generation , especially the kids love to spend their time sitting in front of the computer ..playing games or surfing into social networking sites. One thing people have forgotten that to write 10 blissful lines you need to read at least 100....
Replylearning is not encouraged owing to lifestyle changes both at parents *kids parts. U pointed it right for gadgets use & techno kids. nicely put this idea onto the post. gotta start thinking what I feel as a Mom of 2 kids :-D on reading reading & reading lol good wishes
ReplyVery true, your last point. Reading forms the foundation of writing and that is severely lacking these days... sad state of affairs indeed.. :(
ReplyWell written Anmol. Nicely pointed out the points that led to the demise of reading...
ReplyNicely written...inculcating reading habits in early years goes a long way..not just for acquiring knowledge but also aids to communicate better and clear...such are the power of words. We all are aware communication is a key to success in today's world. But I am not sure how many of us are doing serious reading or just screening...
ReplyGood read buddy. Agree with your points :)
ReplyOh. Reading is absolutely blissful and I agree, it has gone down with technology creeping into lives :) Well written piece.
ReplyOops. Wrong bracket in that smiley (in my earlier comment). Should have been :( not :)
ReplyGreat post. I am an avid reader and always was; even as a kid. I still encourage kids to read because for me reading was a window to other places I could not travel to. This was very encouraging.
ReplyI think more reading for the youth is a great idea. I love to read and though my reading preference has changed over the years I have really enjoyed the expansion of my imagination and the growth it has inspired. Reading is awesome. I love my nerdy friends <3
ReplyI agree with you. Kids today don't like to read. But as for me I love reading and I am glad that my dad instilled this wonderful habit of reading in me. And for something like reading if people call me a nerd I don't mind :-D
ReplyI think things are changing now. Kids these days do love to read books. Guess it also has a lot to do with movies being made based on popular books. These kids read up on books to be updated on the films and vice versa.
ReplyAt least the filmworld did get them to do that!
Nothing beats the joy of reading book, the style, research and the world waiting to be explored. Books are my life and nothing can replace them. Guess, trends are changing and more& more people are lapping books:)
ReplyOops forgot to add my UBC link: http://vishal-newkidontheblock.blogspot.com/2014/07/an-orkut-love-story-chapter-four.html
ReplyGadgets are fine too as long as they have a good Ebook reader, tons of downloaded books and no wifi connection. I'm glad our parents introduced us to books when they did.
ReplyI agree with Vinodini, kids these days are loving to read, as much as they love their cartoons. It's a good change, reading is indeed a bliss :)
ReplyI''ve always been a reader as well Anmol, my mom would take my books away as punishment over grounding me! I have 2 young boys and you are right, it's hard to engage them in reading with YouTube, cartoons, video games. I always tell them there is nothing like our imagination and reading nurtures it. We create the most fantastical things with our minds when we read and you definitely have it right - girls love guys that read!
ReplyYea true this. Harry Potter and other series have encouraged reading among at least a few kids, if not most. I hope more media companies find inspiration in books so as to indirectly inculcate a habit of reading among the youth...
ReplySherri, really? I'm in search of that girl then.. :D
ReplyWell said Maniparna :)
ReplyThank you Siddharth :) Yup, I hope parents encourage reading :)
ReplyHe he :D Yeah reading is awesome. Am sure the lovely kids of your will love to enjoy some fantasies :)
ReplyThank you Siddharth :)
ReplyNicely put :) Such is the power of reading. Serious or not, it is anyhow at least contributing to the evolution of your creativity by opening up new possibilities every time you read any fiction :) Just my thought.
ReplyThanks buddy :)
ReplyThank you Leo :) We should do something about it right?
ReplyNo problem ;)
ReplyAbsolutely right :) Thank you for dropping by :)
ReplyRight said. And yeah being nerdy is really cool ;)
ReplySo we guys are proud of our parents right? :D Who cares what others call us ;)
ReplyYes, the major change was brought by Harry Potter franchise as quoted by Siddharth as well. Then we have Lord of the Rings, Hobbit, Hunger Games Series, Divergent Series and much more as well. But still the majority is with the kids playing games on the latest tablet in the market. I do hope things change rapidly :)
ReplyVery well said Vishal :) Kids around me are not at all into the books but probably the trend might be changing as you have noticed around yourself. It's a good thing then :)
ReplyYes am glad for that too :)
ReplyPS: I don't support ebooks at all :p The charm of holding an actual paperback or hardcover and the thrill of turning each page is unparalleled :D
Well if that's the case, then am glad :D
ReplyYea exactly Sherri. That was a cruel punishment ;) My mom would promise me more comics if I studies and score well in exams. :D
Reply@Siddharth there are plenty of such girls :D They love to discuss the stories and how they felt after reading or their favorite quotes. I have so many such friends. :)
"It is blissful. Isn’t it awesome to live in a bit of a fantasy world for a while when the real life is so much hectic and strenuous."
ReplyMy reason for reading :D
U wrote my mind... ;)
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