Dean Koontz asserts that illiteracy has become a fertile environment for the devil in written communication. Despite the widespread understanding of the benefits linked to high literacy levels, many individuals overlook the repercussions of lacking reading and writing proficiency. Post-secondary education, a deficiency in literacy profoundly impacts multiple facets of individuals’ lives, such as their employment options and potential income, ultimately limiting their residential choices.
Insufficient education, disinterest in academics, or limited access to educational resources can have long-term impacts on individuals’ prospects, affecting their personal lives and relationships. Many individuals are finishing their studies with significantly low levels of literacy without recognizing the potential negative outcomes. A study named “Literacy and Growth” (by Serge Coulombe and Jean-Francois Trembley) reveals that countries with higher literacy rates usually experience progress in productivity and technology.
The research suggests that women’s literacy has a more significant influence on a country’s development in contrast to men’s literacy. Just one extra year of education can result in a considerable 7% growth in male labor productivity, which not only enhances the recognition of technology’s significance but also enables individuals to afford and adeptly employ it.
This indicates that countries with higher literacy rates are more inclined to offer improved access to technology for their citizens. Additionally, a literate and well-educated population suggests an increased probability of technological progress as individuals possess the knowledge and means to enhance or create new devices. This also implies that the productivity of the nation’s people is likely to surpass those in less educated regions.
The text implies that increasing an employee’s value, pay rate, and lifestyle can be achieved by working smarter rather than just harder. This viewpoint is likely influenced by the interconnection of modern global business and trade. Additionally, it states that countries with higher literacy rates such as the United States, England, and Japan tend to have greater global influence.
Amir Shoham’s research, titled “Society’s Level of Literacy: A Cross Cultural Study,” demonstrates a noticeable correlation between higher literacy rates and a more egalitarian society. In an egalitarian society, individuals have equal chances and resources to advance or decline in the social hierarchy. This sets these societies apart from countries like India, where a strict caste system based on birth and occupation endures. As a result, nations with higher literacy rates typically display more equality and regard for their citizens compared to those with lower literacy rates.
Having a higher level of literacy has the potential to lead to greater personal power and influence within a community or government, thereby supporting the idea that “Knowledge is Power.” Additionally, a country’s literacy rate can impact its power and influence on a global scale. However, the effect of low literacy on an individual’s life is far more substantial. According to the Effects of Adult Literacy on Earnings and Employment study by Mauna Soares de Baldini Rocha and Vladimir Ponczek, adult literacy plays a role in determining an individual’s employability.
Increasing the literacy rate offers benefits such as improved employment opportunities and access to higher-paying jobs rather than low-wage entry-level positions. Those with advanced literacy skills tend to show greater motivation and commitment towards productivity, leading to enhanced prospects and opportunities. On the other hand, individuals with lower literacy rates face significant challenges in their quality of life compared to those with higher levels of literacy.
Literacy Changes Lives: An Advocacy Resource (George Dugdale, Christina Clark) highlights the significant challenges faced by individuals with a literacy rate below entry level 2. Within this group, 22% of men and 30% of women live in households where residents are unemployed. Moreover, they typically reside in crowded homes and low-income housing, which hampers their access to resources like computers that can help them improve their literacy skills. Consequently, these individuals experience increased difficulty when trying to access available benefits.
After high school, a person’s lack of literacy skills can hinder their ability to achieve advanced literacy. This is mainly because they have limited access to technology, which affects their motivation to pursue higher levels of literacy. Moreover, individuals with lower literacy rates are more likely to experience divorce compared to those with higher rates. Additionally, one’s level of income is also influenced by their literacy level.
In the research article “The Economic Benefits of Literacy: Evidence and Implications for Public Policy” by Mike McCracken and T. Scott Murray, it is mentioned that having a higher literacy rate results in higher wages and a greater chance of wage growth. By engaging in programs like preschool and Early Childhood Learning classes, dropout rates in high school can be decreased by up to 32%. As a result, this leads to better job prospects, increased incomes, and improved opportunities.
The advantages of engaging in early-stage learning are diverse and include the reduction of remedial education needs, decline in crime rates, decreased reliance on welfare and government assistance programs, improved health, and increased likelihood of pursuing higher education. Additionally, literacy rates have a substantial impact on individuals with disabilities, further complicating their already challenging lives. According to the article “Literacy and Disabilities,” 20% of adults with disabilities have not progressed beyond a 9th-grade education level.
The text highlights the correlation between disabilities and low income, as well as the link between low literacy rates and low income housing. It also mentions that a considerable number of adults with disabilities are unemployed. As a result, individuals who have disabilities and low literacy heavily rely on government assistance and societal support. The importance of literacy rates is emphasized, indicating that higher rates can be beneficial while lower rates can have negative impacts in various aspects of life on both individual and global scales.
Increasing an individual’s education by just one year can have a significant impact on employment opportunities. Instead of being limited to low-paying jobs in fast food establishments, an additional year of schooling can open doors to entry-level positions in office environments that offer potential for advancement and further education sponsored by the company. Furthermore, a country’s level of education plays a role in its global reputation, as countries with low literacy rates are often perceived as less influential. The consequences of low literacy rates on an individual’s life are extensive and profound, making it one of the most significant disadvantages one can face. Hence, literacy is crucial and deserves appropriate recognition.
References
- Literacy and Growth Coulombe, Serge, Trembley, Jean-Francois (http://ehis. ebscohost. com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer? sid=e55657fa-1a67-40dc-9d63-99bb1d786c16%40sessionmgr14&vid=2&hid=2 )
- Society’s Level of Literacy: A Cross-Cultural Study Shoham, Amir (http://ehis. ebscohost. com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer? sid=78684c9a-db42-495f-a28e-e049f22938d4%40sessionmgr15&vid=2&hid=2 )
- The Effects Of Adult Literacy On Earnings And Employment Ponczek, Vladimir, Soares de Baldini Rocha,Mauna (http://bibliotecadigital. fgv. br/ocs/index. php/sbe/EBE08/paper/viewFile/407/55 )
