ab的ility to read is something that many of us take for granted. We see illiteracy as an almost obsolete problem that mainly affects “other places”; it’s not something that’s supposed to happen in developed countries of the twenty-first century.
Yet, the reality is that illiteracy is a very real problem for the U.S., and its consequences are far-reaching. In this post, we’ll explore the surprising statistics coming out of the U.S. and what they mean for the future.
Literacy in America
When it comes to measuring the United States’ literacy level, things are a bit more complicated compared withother countries.
The simplest definition of “literacy rate” is the percentage of people aged 15 and older who can read and write. In many countries, the ability to read a simple sentence qualifies a person as literate for purposes of collecting official data.
In the U.S., however, literacy is defined as the ability to “use printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential.”
Under the international standard, the U.S. has a literacy rate of 99%, according to the CIA World Factbook.
However, according to theNational Center for Education Statistics(NCES), 21% of American adults (approximately 43 million) are “functionally illiterate,” meaning they have only a basic or below basic ability to read. These adults lack the necessary skills for “comparing and contrasting information, paraphrasing, and making low-level inferences.”
And according to theU.S. Department of Education, 54% of U.S. adults 16–74 years old read below the equivalent of a sixth-grade level, while 36 million American adultscan’t read better than an average third-grader.
In the U.S., the mostcommon predictors of illiteracyin children are:
- parents with little education
- a lack of books and stimulating reading material at home
- poverty
- not completing school
- learning disabilities such as dyslexia
Implications of Illiteracy
The consequences of illiteracy are far-reaching and impact society as a whole. Here are just some of the ways this problem can impact health, quality of life, and more:
Health:According to theAmerican Journal of Public Health, $232 billion are spent in health care costs each year due to problems directly related to an inability to read and understand important health information.
Employment: TheNational Council for Adult Learningindicates a $225 billion loss in nonproductivity, crime, and lost tax revenue due to unemployment connected to low literacy. In addition, around 60% of employers require entry tests, and 36% of applicants are found deficient in basic reading and math, which means low literacy can significantly limit a person’s employment opportunities. This tends to perpetuate a cycle of poverty, low education, and illiteracy in the next generation.
Quality of life: Closely tied to employment is quality of life, especially in the United States. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 43% of adults with the lowest literacy levels live in poverty. This again illustrates a vicious cycle. Those who are illiterate struggle to find well-paid jobs; those who are born into poverty often drop out of school early in search of work to support themselves or their family.
Crime: According to the U.S. Department of Justice,60% of state prison inmates are functionally illiterate, and that number jumps to 85% when it comes to juvenile offenders. While that doesn’t indicate causation, it’s certainly a clear correlation: statistically, there are more functionally illiterate people in state prisons than there are literate.
What Can You Do About Illiteracy?
While illiteracy is a global problem, there are steps you can take right in your own community to help. Here are a few simple things you can start doing today:
- Donate books: Bydonating books, you can breathe new life into your old reads by letting someone else with less access to quality books experience them. Some options for making a change include donating to prisons, thrift shops, and schools in need.
- Volunteer:Volunteer your timeby reading to children or tutoring underprivileged youth (or even adults) who struggle with reading. Here are some tips formaking the experiencefun for everyone.
- Support organizations that serve at-risk populations: There are many organizations, both international and domestic, that work to support at-risk populations (especially women and incarcerated youth) when it comes to literacy. Some great options are theInternational Literacy Association,ProLiteracy, andReach Out and Read.
Keep Reading
Illiteracy is a serious issue that affects rich and poor countries alike. One of the best things you can do as a literate person is encourage a love for reading in the next generation, while also challenging yourself toread more booksand broaden your perspective.
Check out thesesites for read-aloud books,您可以使用阅读一个有趣的和engaging activity with new readers in your life.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- What Is Media Literacy and Why Does It Matter?
- How to Teach Kids to Read: Tips, Resources, and Books for Getting Started
- How to Determine Reading Level and Find the Right Books for Your Child
- How to Read More Books: 16 Tips to Help You Reach Your Reading Goals
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing,Kaelynloves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
