In recent years, people have been reading less. There is no way around it, people have just been choosing not to read. While busy schedules are a part of that, studies show that approximately a quarter of Americans haven’t read a book in over a year, though many guess that number to be higher. Many younger adults, mostly students, have shown to have a difficult time reading longer texts. While researchers think that this is because of a lower attention span, there is much more to the issue.
Attention span is important while reading. If someone struggles to pay attention, finishing a four-hundred-page novel can be difficult, and many may be put off to the idea entirely. In recent years, attention spans have grown smaller. With the increase of social media and quick videos that get right to the point, people don’t really enjoy things that take time.
Studies show that people in lesser income families are less likely to pick up a book. While they have tied this to educational levels, there is another aspect that is looked over. Many people in lesser income families can sometimes have higher demanding jobs, especially timewise, leaving little time to read a book when they are busy with everything else. It is also important to note that some people cannot afford books. The cost of a single paper back book can be up to twenty dollars, which is a lot for a single book.
Online reading is an option with Kindle, though you would have to buy one first. Libraries are widely available, though one would have to find the time and transportation to get to one. With that being said, the lack of reading can be because of lack of attention, though it’s important to understand all aspects before coming to a conclusion. Many communities are starting free book libraries and shelves to encourage reading without the financial worry.
Reading has been shown to have positive effects on people’s lives. Reading can increase your vocabulary, making it easier to articulate what you are trying to say, especially in professional settings. Reading has also been shown to help brain functions. A study done over 14 years showed that, “those with higher reading frequencies (≥1 time a week) were less likely to have cognitive decline at 6-year.” This shows us that reading is not just for fun, it can also have great benefits.
Getting into reading can be difficult. Many people will read one book and not enjoy it, then never pick up a book again. Though that’s understandable, it’s important to find out what genres you enjoy so that actually picking up a book is something you look forward to.