APART from many benefits the electronic age has brought it has also resulted in demise of the reading habits particularly in younger generations. Our youngsters today are addicted to the social media and spend more time on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok and the printed word holds no fascination for them. According to a survey by Gallup and Gilani only 28% Pakistanis read books beyond academic texts and 75% of the students do not read any books at all because of their fascination with social media and electronic gadgets available so easily.
The decline in reading books for pleasure is a widely acknowledged phenomenon driven by digital distractions, short-form content, and shortened attention spans. This shift away from traditional reading reduces opportunities for deep focus and limits the cognitive benefits associated with immersing oneself in a good story. “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”(George R. R. Martin) We’re all reading something or the other at all times. Some people read the newspaper first thing when they wake up in the morning. Others may only read articles that interest them. Different individuals read for different purposes; it could be to acquire knowledge or simply for leisure purposes. Reading is one of the cheapest yet most adequate ways of obtaining information. To get an update on the latest world affairs, there are newspapers. When there’s something you’re not sure about and perhaps want to get a clearer idea of a particular topic, you research about it. Countless published studies or articles by experts may help you solve your problem without much effort.
A study by Naveed Sehar about the ‘Reading Habits among Undergraduate Students of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan’ shows that, out of the 50 students the study was conducted on, 80% were those who read. Out of that 80%, 52.5% prefer to read printed books, while the remaining percentage would rather use e-books. Furthermore, out of the students who favored paperback/printed books, 66.6% read for academic purposes or to attain information; 19% read to improve their vocabulary and merely 14.2% students read for entertainment. This gives a rough idea of the reading trends among students in Pakistan. Although the data is not enough to be representative of the entire student body of Pakistan. According to a recent survey conducted in 2019 by Gallup and Gillani Foundation Pakistan, 3/4th of the Pakistani population does not read. The survey conducted on 1178 men and women from all over Pakistan concluded that only 9% of Pakistanis are keen readers Books strengthen wisdom and intellectual capacity, as reading across disciplines – science, philosophy, history, literature and religion – adds distinct value to a reader’s intellectual and emotional growth. Scientific works unveil the mysteries of the universe and trace new inventions for human progress. Readers often encounter the social realities of their time through literature. The works of William Shakespeare, whether his plays or poetry, illuminate the complexities of society, while Charles Dickens offers vivid portrayals of social issues in his novels. Written in the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer’s Prologue to the Canterbury Tales portrayed a diversity of characters and societal traits that remain relevant today.
The demise of the reading culture is something really unfortunate and sad because reading has so many scientifically proved benefits: it increases intelligence, improves memory, makes it easier to relate to others, reduces stress, helps us sleep better and many more benefits. So why have people stopped reading?
First thing that comes to mind is the fast paced modern life people just don’t have time for reading. Reading is something that is fun and enriching and we can all find time for fun if e want to so this reason is something that can be looked into and the trend could be reversed. Some people may think that books are expensive or they not have enough extra money in their budget for books. First, I actually don’t think the expense of books is much of an impediment in this day and age, as so many eBooks are available at a deep discount on Kindle and other platforms. Some people are just ignorant about what to read, they just don’t know what book to pick up but this excuse hold no water because it is not difficult to come up with a reading list in short time. Most people read either for fun/entertainment or for personal growth, so that is a good place to start if you don’t know what to read.
Read something that is enjoyable for you, or that will improve your life, and then apply it. Popular fiction or personal finance books appeal to a lot of people.Going to the library or a bookstore is also a great way to browse for books. Amazon and Good Reads also make online browsing easy by suggesting similar items to books that you may already like. It’s easy to click on one suggestion, and go on from there and even read reviews until you find multiple things that you like. Technology has been competing with reading since many decades ever since the invention of the gramophone, radio and television. Smart phones and the social media platforms are in a different league altogether when it comes to competing with reading the younger generation of today is reading far less than the generation of their parents. There is a very high likelihood that addiction to phones and social media is the main reason as to why younger people in particular are not reading as much as the older generations did.
—The writer is Professor of History, based in Islamabad
