Why do certain kids hate reading?

[Ledan]

Well, I learned to love to read in school because most of my classmates were dicks.... but yes, the whole literature as a course in school is bull. Not just in forcing people to read 'The Great Gatsby', or continously stating that Shakespeare was the greatest author ever, but in forcing students to overanalyze books to such an extent that they hate anything to do with literature.
"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar" -Freud (or am I mistaken?)

 

[the rye]

Ok look i know you don't always get to read a novel your interested in but schools select those texts for specific reasons, mainly because its damn good literature that you young whippersnappers can't appreciate.

Then why not let them read damn good literature which they can appreciate? Giving them a book, expecting them to like it, then just saying "You're too stupid to like it" when they don't is going to turn them off reading for good.

Therein the responsibility goes to the lecturer to teach why students should care about literature. I think many reasons for students to not like literature is because there not taught why it matters, in a sense they are not taught the full depth of a text and a text can be interpreted in many ways.

 

[the rye]

Nope, screw what the kids want. They're going to learn Shakespeare, they're going to read 'Of Mice and Men'. I was reading 1984 and Great Expectations in my own time at age 14. I don't see why kids would have trouble reading the literature school make them read, sound like laziness to me.

Ok look i know you don't always get to read a novel your interested in but schools select those texts for specific reasons, mainly because its damn good literature that you young whippersnappers can't appreciate.

Opinion much? I am 16 and I love reading! It really is about finding the right book. Not forcing them to read things they aren't interested in. In my opinion, schools should only force kids to read books like 'To Kill a Mockingbird' or 'Night'. Things about horrible events or racism seem to draw kids in. Then you can get them to read other things.

I do agree that kids need to be taught a text they in some sense connect to or can care about. But to me what matters is in the way texts are taught and there seems to be a lack of teaching the student that texts can have a wide range of interpretations.

 

[AlAaraaf74]

Hello there, I got this idea from another topic by trezu (I hope i don't rip you off to much man ) I am a 17 year old high school student and I came up with a reason why kids today aren't a fan of reading. This is just my personal opinion, but I think it's because schools try to force books that kids have no interest for down their throats too often.

I am of this group of people. I've had to read quite a few books I either disliked completely or just wasn't interested in. If more schools let children pick a book they might enjoy reading, they could grow to love it.

Yes, you are probably right. I like reading, but I have never liked a book that I was forced to read for school.

Some examples:
Catcher in the Rye - 200 pages of teenage angst and Holden doesn't kill himself like I wanted him to.
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress - I learned nothing from this trash.
The Great Gatsby - It was okay, but I probably wasn't interesting enough for me to finish it on my own.
Huck Finn - Outdated and boring. My teacher said, "Read it again when you're older, you'll think it's hilarious". Well, then why did you make us read it now, school board? Cuz now I have no interest in picking up the book again.

Though, it's not only because of the books school makes us read. It's also because kids my age and younger have other means of entertainment that they like better than reading: Video Games, movies, T.V., the internet, sports, etc.

 

[the rye]

Of Mice and Men'.

I hope you've actually read that book. Sure, a lot of high school kids have to read it (I first read it when I was 13), but it was actually insanely good. Just because it's lighter than things like The Picture of Dorian Gray or 1984 doesn't mean it isn't as good.

Steinbeck was a very talented author.

And Shakespeare is a sort of "have-to" read. Even if you don't like it, Shakespeare was a massive influence on the English language.

(I apologise in advance if I have interpreted your post; my Sarcasm Sense was tingling).

Wait i do like 'of mice and men' and i do like Steinbeck. And Shakespeare.

 

[Suicidejim]

I would argue that it takes more effort to absorb yourself in a story than it does a film or cartoon or even game, especially when you're young and haven't already got a well of enthusiasm for reading, and a lot of kids who aren't proficient at reading aren't willing to put the time and effort into it.