Forums → WEPR → Should kids/teens/adults be FORCED to read?

Aren't we?

yes but should we?

Reading is neccessary for both individual development and is vital to the functioning of an advanced society. Literate people are much less likely to be sheople.

But no, and if you live in a free society, technically you are never forced to read. Your parents force you to go to school, and your teacher will require you to read to complete classes, but technically you could refuse. And fail. Alot. Eventually you'd hit 18 and could drop out. You' also be a complete moron and be sentanced to menial labor for the rest of your life because you couldn't even get a driver's license, given that you can't read the questions.

Reading is not declamatory. We are free in the United States, which means we obviously don't and shouldn't be forced to read. Sure it is very smart of those who want to read, but we don't need to be FORCED to DO anything. I personally like reading CERTAIN books, for instance Twilight, Harry Potter, etc... So here is my opinion!

-Diamond

why would some one make them read

and yes

well i understand to a certain level of reading and understanding words. But if you are in 11th grade and teachers have SSR (silent sustained reading) should that be aloud.. I mean yes you can read, and yes you understand words so why should you..

When you are little? Yes.

When you are grown up? No.

Although, at the rate at which literature has to be mediocre in order for people to read it, perhaps we do need some forced reading of some classics.

Reading is an individual choice and I,for one,find despicable people who can't open up a book for their own development and culture.
I ain't going to repeat what has already been brilliantly said by chopstickbob,but I think he's absolutely right.You're never,and have surely never been forced to read,but books are an essential tool in the construction of a cultured and functionning society,and reading is the key to comprehend this said society.Culture is often the reflect of one's personnality,and people who don't read are easily left behind in this day and age,because our cultural frame oblige people to educate themselves,as it is the proof of success in life.I don't think reading should be obligatory,but it should be highly encouraged by parents and school.I firmly believe literature can touch anybody,but the effort must be first made to take a step in this vague world:this should be done in childhood

I don't know, should we force people to eat food while we're at it?

Definitely. Freedom's overrated.

i think we should force them because they dont have the ability of giving right decisions...if they can think and give decisions like us we dont have to say them "kids"...

I don't think people should be forced to read, rather, they should want to read more. Today, some people talk like reading is a bad thing. If they want to let their brains rot and have useless lives, that's their choice.

just because people don't read doesn't mean they aren't educated. Its called talking and discussing. I personally don't like reading and never will...

Wow, that would bassically make any country a comunist country..soo no.

And it would be good because expansion of vocab and what not but MANDATORY!? nooo noo.

as said by carltherune reading isn't a bad thing. You can be hooked to a book for 12 hours without noticing anything icluding using the bathroom, drinking, or eating!!!