Decline of Reading for enjoyment
Currently, reading occupies limited space for many young people often competing with gaming and technology. Results from the most recent cycle for the Programme for International Student Assesment (PISA) shows that reports of enjoyment of reading by Australian students declined between PISA 2000 and 2018. The proportion of girls who reported ‘I read only if I have to’ increased from 30 per cent to 46 per cent, and from 46 to 61 per cent for boys. (ACER, 2021: www.acer.org/au/discover/article/australian-boys-and-girls-enjoyment-of-reading).
In many countries, including Australia, reading for enjoyment has declined significantly for adults as well. A high percentage of Australians have literacy levels below the international standard required for participation in work, education and society.
Benefits of Reading for enjoyment
Reading is very, very good for you. Research shows that regular reading:
- improves brain connectivity
- increases your vocabulary and comprehension
- empowers you to empathize with other people
- aids in sleep readiness
- reduces stress
- lowers blood pressure and heart rate
- fights depression symptoms
- prevents cognitive decline as you age
- contributes to a longer life
- Enabling connections with others through shared knowledge and conversation.
- Increasing ability to solve problems and do out-of-the-box thinking.
More benefits of reading
You can read more about the benefits of reading by accessing these links.