Adolescent literacy

[kimberkit]

I recently read an article that defined "adolescent literacy" as the ability to comprehend and make meaning of writing in a variety of mediums: internet-speak, newspapers, textbooks, email, fiction, nonfiction.

So, I have a confession to make: I am functionally illiterate. I don't follow the newspapers faithfully (Matt T had to explain what the big fuss with the Karl Rove case was), because it makes me feel helpless or angry to see the news half the time, when I don't plan on going into politics. I don't speak AOL. I can read nonfiction well enough, and comprehend it, but I don't give a damn half the time because it usually comes across as academics farting around, and, as far as I can tell, not doing much to save the world, even if they sometimes have interesting theories that may or may not work.

I think the point of the article was that adolescents have to differentiate between all the mediums they're inundated with, but that really should have taken a sentence.

Anyway. Either I'm a sad failure of the education system, or "adolescent literacy" is a meaningless term. Probably some of both -- I really should be more interested in watching the world fall apart by the seams, rather than wondering what I can do to save it, and I probably should be less disrespectful of the intelligentsia. And "adolescent literacy" is just another buzzword replacement for "secondary reading fluency and knowing how to tell academic writing from non-academic writing."

Comments

[lostsilmaril.livejournal.com]

Er... so...

If "adolescent literacy" is the ability to comprehend and make meaning of writing in a variety of mediums, that doesn't mean that you're illiterate if you choose not to read them. Literacy, at least in my mind, refers to an ability, not any sort of... cultural awareness, for lack of a better term. That's a totally different kitten.

[greenfountain.livejournal.com]

kim, there's a lot of difference between someone who doesn't read newspapers because it's depressing and someone who doesn't read newpapers because they won't make sense. (in a very concrete "i can't parse this sentence" kind of way, not a "what the fuck is wrong with people?" way.)

hell, i don't read things i don't like either, and i certainly wouldn't call myself illiterate in any sense. (okay okay, i admit being culturally illiterate...) there are too many good things to read (and do, in general) to waste time on unnecessary things you don't enjoy. there are plenty of lovers of newpaper reading to fill that niche in the world.