The Human Cost
of an Illiterate Society
by Madison Bernstein, Leila Carranza, Maria De Leon, Jonas Gutierrez, & Sandy Sanger
Summary
The influence of illiteracy on our community has been dated back all the way to Socrates who believed that literacy was judged by matters of mortality. Our Founding Fathers recognized the dangers that illiteracy would pose on the wellbeing of everyone. Today, many people vote in political elections without knowing who they’re voting for or why. A lot of people base their votes off of appearance rather than values of that person that could help the population. People that can’t read or write are like blind or disabled individuals living in a busy city that never slows down for their convenience. They live in a panic every day because they can’t read the menus at a restaurant or the street signs on the way home. Many of these illiterates use their memory of landmarks or objects on this familiar path, things that no one else would pay much attention to, in order to get to where they’re going. They can’t understand the lease to their new home, or how to use a phonebook, or read letters brought home with their kids from school. If an emergency were to arise, they’re helpless to themselves and others around them. Bills aren’t paid, notices aren’t noticed, every day is a panic, and grocery shopping always turns into buying the wrong or unnecessary items. Illiterates are embarrassed but lost and struggling on their own, they just aren’t willing to ask for help. Illiteracy also causes legal problems which then results in the economy having to pay off large amounts of money whether it’s as large as jail time or accidents caused by their inability to read. The problem of illiteracy is much larger than individuals not being able to read or write; it causes a problem for the community as a whole.
Lack of Consequences
What we know
Workforce Development
- Although the demand for employees with higher skills and post-secondary education has increased, more adults face barriers, such as limited English language proficiency and lack of high school diplomas, to higher education and training programs.
- In the United States, employees with at least a two-year college degree are most in demand, according to ProLiteracy.
- As workplaces become more complex and technology-based, illiteracy creates a gap between the workforce and the needs of businesses.
- Illiteracy is also connected to crime, health issues and high unemployment.
Works Cited
Illiteracy & Health
- Adults with low-level reading skills frequently suffer from health problems because they lack the ability to read medical directions, health-related literature or prescription labels.
- Chronic health conditions may go improperly monitored by patients who are functionally illiterate and the overall well-being of these individuals may worsen overtime causing frequent doctor or emergency room visits, hospitalization, or even death.
- In the United States, 14% of adults cannot read well enough to complete a job application.
- The United States’ adult literacy ranking is fifth among the other industrialized nations.
- Illiteracy affects families and communities and prevents people from reaching their full potential.
- Businesses compete in a global economy that requires increasingly higher levels of education and training. Illiteracy among American workers threatens the ability of businesses to compete on a global level.
- The United States falls behind several countries in education and training for its workforce in science, technology, math and engineering. Illiteracy puts businesses at a disadvantage in competing globally with better-educated workers.
Illiteracy & the Economy
- Adult illiteracy costs society an estimated $240 billion each year in lost industrial productivity, unrealized tax revenues, welfare, crime, poverty, and related social ills.
Fiscal Illiteracy
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Dealing with Illiteracy
- How many have taken a financial class in high school?
- Lack of money management courses in high school
Fighting Illiteracy Today
- How many of you know or have heard of Dave Ramsey?
- Most patients are unlikely to admit they are illiterate
- Keep explanations short. Patients can only retain about 20% of what they've heard.
- Some employers established in-house reading education program (ex. Polaroid)
- The Polaroid program described is responsible for the promotion of several employees to more rewarding jobs
1992
2002
1989
2005
Works Cited (part two)
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