Is Handwriting a Dying Art
With all the means of communicating today, seems the art of handwriting will soon disappear. Most of our schools no longer teach cursive. The reason: of what use is cursive in the digital world in which our children operate?
There are several reasons that handwriting is becoming a dinosaur.
- Texting
- Smart phones
- Computers
- Tablets
- Fountain pens with the capabilities of sending emails
With all these technological advancements, what do I need with a fountain pen?
Perhaps the number one reason for continuing handwriting could be the love of the art. I have never captured the fine art of calligraphy. My handwriting is atrocious at best; however, I still write all my first drafts with a fountain pen.
I read only a few days ago that teens have begun to hand write notes again. The reason is that the handwritten note is more personal. So maybe handwriting will not die completely.
What do you think? Is handwriting worth keeping alive?
Recent Comments
24
Hi Howard, I definitely think handwriting is worth keeping alive, but I agree it seems to be a dying art. I have even gone as far as joking about oral communication becoming a dying art. Heck with everyone glued to their smartphones and texting everything there seems to be less and less reason to use the vocal chords to communicate. Hahaha
Wayne
Excellent point Wayne! I've watched couples at dinner in an expensive restaurant with their heads buried in their phones. No conversation at all.
What's the point of a dinner date if both sit and text?
Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for bringing up the interesting topic Howard.
I took classes in calligraphy and made extra money addressing wedding invitations, etc. in the past.
As I’ve aged my hands are not as steady and I’ve given up the hobby, but I still enjoy sending hand written notes and cards.
I certainly hope it doesn’t disappear altogether!
KyleAnn
Although my handwriting isn't really good, I still love to write. Fountain pens do improve my writing capabilities. However, calligraphy is something I could never do.
Thanks for your interest. Blessings.
I should get your address KyleAnn. I miss cards and letters and it makes me sad that no one sends them anymore. People don't even write thank you notes.
I miss having my Grandma and Great Aunt who would write all the time.
Yes, my Grandma always wrote too. I try to write to my granddaughters because I so loved having mail just to me!
But I never even get "thank-you" cards back from anyone anymore...very sad.
I'll PM you my address if you'e serious!
Good handwriting was something to be proud of back in the day. It is still something that we feel should be taught and kept alive.
Thanks for bringing up this important subject!
Colette and Philip
Thanks Colette and Phillip. I agree! As a former English teacher, can't believe my grandsons aren't being taught cursive. Blessings, and have a great day!
Yes! Handwriting should be kept alive. How will students of the future be able to read any historic documents if they can't read cursive? They wouldn't even be able to read letters written by earlier generations.
Cursive also helps with development of the brain and learning. It helps tie everything together and helps kids learn to see words as words not just individual letters.
Of course there are so many new things kids need to learn now so there isn't time for everything. It seems to be a problems when history, geography and writing are all being focused on less and less however.
You are so right, Swangirl. I feel that deciding that the digital world is satisfactory learning for our kids to be a poor decision. The idea being that if they want to know about history,geography or writing, simply look the information up on the internet.
I realize there is much to learn, but I think Shakespeare could be right, It is Much To Do About Nothing.
And then, maybe not! Only time will tell.
Thanks and blessings.
My husband was a history major and it drives him crazy that people now don't have any sense of history. They are absolutely clueless. I feel the same way and also about geography. Kids now don't have any idea where anything is!
I nearly majored in history undergrad. Love it! Can't study the Bible without knowing the history.
Hope all is well with you and yours!
All of my work are handwritten. I am very old fashion. Trying to keep up keeps me vibrant. I will write on paper until I am gone!
Maxine
Me too Maxine. I still exchange hand written letters with my closest friends around the world. I love getting a letter with a foreign stamp as they are so interesting.
Handwriting was here in the first place. History demands that we should not allow it to die. I am alive. So, it still lives through me. You are alive and it lives though you also. Keep the art alive, my friend.
Maxine
I know that some millenials are totally into typewriters, so maybe handwriting will make a comeback too!
I know you are on target with this, Jennine. Some put away the text for a pen among the millennials. Actually, a few teens across the world are beginning to write a few notes to their closest friends.
Maybe it won't die altogether! Blessings.
See more comments
Yes! There are skills in writing. Teach them all the skills! “I can’t write because I don’t have a tool tab, etc., etc., to do it with.” Oh not true! I love to teach cursive and write cursive with my fingers in the sand, a kind note on a plush bed, hand written are definitely more personalized!! :)
Our precious children need hands on to writing ✍️ And all the other tools to communicate. Thanks for asking!!
CHolm1 (A mother of precious children.)
Totally agree. Taught English for 11 years at the high school level. Taught writing in college for seven years. Freshmen entering college had no idea how to write except an occasional one.
Thanks and Blessings,
hc