Is it true that there aren't enough "boy books" out there?
Or is it simply that at some point, it becomes "uncool" for a boy to be seen reading a book?
I won't go into another long discourse, but I think it's the latter. I've been surrounded my entire life by guys who love reading...and they never lacked for a book to pick up. But their friends liked to read, too; many of them were from families where everyone read, many were homeschooled--and I can tell you from personal experience that while homeschooling does not lack peer pressure, the things pressured are a lot different: "You mean, you haven't read the Silmarillion yet? What are you reading, man?"
But that kind of social influence doesn't exist in most places. So...how can we change culture and perception?
I'm really curious to hear what you all think about this. It's been tossed about my brain so much I'm getting dizzy...yet I can't get away from the questions.
I won't go into another long discourse, but I think it's the latter. I've been surrounded my entire life by guys who love reading...and they never lacked for a book to pick up. But their friends liked to read, too; many of them were from families where everyone read, many were homeschooled--and I can tell you from personal experience that while homeschooling does not lack peer pressure, the things pressured are a lot different: "You mean, you haven't read the Silmarillion yet? What are you reading, man?"
But that kind of social influence doesn't exist in most places. So...how can we change culture and perception?
I'm really curious to hear what you all think about this. It's been tossed about my brain so much I'm getting dizzy...yet I can't get away from the questions.
It's a good question, Faith, but one I don't have the answer.
ReplyDeleteWith the many online social networks and book trailers, perhaps it will spur the boy-reader (or girl) to read what is tweeted about so as not to be left out of the ‘conversations.’ And maybe the book with the girly cover a boy wouldn’t be caught dead with can instead be read with an e-book reader or even his iphone/itouch… (which teens are now reading books on).
I can only hope that with so many more books showing up on the movie screens it might encourage reading. I know some feel it does the opposite, but I've seen a few of my son's friends (reluctant readers) pick up the Lightning Thief books after watching the movie.
All I do know for sure is kids won't read more just because Mom says to : )
Oooh, good question. I like the points you've made.
ReplyDeleteI only have one son. My daughter, two years older than him, is a voracious reader. I have a hard time keeping enough books in the house for her. But my son has been taking his time with reading and falling love with books. It's hard to find books that capture his interest, even though he's only seven years old. For Christmas we bought him several Jon Scieszka books and he LOVES them. So, I don't know. Give me a few more years to form my opinion. He's in public school, so it will be interesting to see if and how peer pressure changes him. Right now (in 1st grade) all the strongest readers in his class are boys.
Amy
Normally I respond to all comments by email (I'll probably still do that...), but I feel like this post should be more of a conversation, so I'll respond here, too...
ReplyDeletePaula, the e-book point is one I never thought of. Normally I cringe and sigh philosophically about the dawn of e-books...but in this respect, I think it could really help. Perhaps it will take such a a big culture change to alter the way boys feel about reading. I'm feeling more hopeful already. :)
Amy, thanks for sharing your experience. I have no sons yet, so my viewpoint is from childhood friends and many nephews, but so far the boys seem to love reading just as much as the girls. My eight-year-old nephew practically devours books. I do notice that some boys are more active, and getting a child like that to read can be harder...but perhaps not for a lack of books as much as a lack of knowledge of books...so I guess the focus on finding books for boys, and thus educating those choosing and buying books, can be a very important task.
We need to get more boys interested in writing, and then I think they'll want to read. I know you kinda gotta read first, to know how to write. But you know boys. They do everything upside down and inside out ;o)
ReplyDeleteThis is a multi-level problem, I think. Children have always loved stories so they will get them through other media. As to lack of boy books, I don't think so. People point fingers at this and that, but it begins at home.
ReplyDeleteOne ought to model the behavior one wants from the child. In our family, both my husband and I love to read, so our children grew up reading. Also, another big factor is that we didn't have a TV or video games in the house at all. Books, music and old-fashioned games are the entertainment. We do watch movies :) But it's a family activity.
Jessica, I like your idea. :) And boys do do things upside down...often literally. Maybe more reading and writing while swinging upside-down from trees during childhood will help. ;P
ReplyDeleteVijaya, I don't think you will ever have the non-reader problem. :) I am completely sure that TV and videogames are a large part--if not the largest part--of the problem. And in terms of modeling behavior, it's getting harder and harder to find adults who read, who don't model the "get-home-from-work-and-spend-the-rest-of-the-night-in-front-of-the-TV" mindset. And that is really sad.
Now, I don't have TV in my house, either (just movies, like you), but it'd be hard to just say, "If you want boys to read, don't watch TV," because there is a lot of good to be found through that medium. But...it's so addicting. And there is so much that is little more than brain numbing.
Think about it...years ago, the "easy" entertainment was radio--or comic books. These still required participation and mental activity. But was it weird then for boys to read "real" books? Perhaps even then the peer pressure was toward the "easy". Anyone over 60 or so know the answer?
its true that girls "usually" like reading more than boys. But it does seem there are less boy books out there. Even when people see my book (directed towards girls) people ask, "are you going to write one for boys too? There's not many out there." I get that comment A LOT. When I think of some of well known books out there, they are mostly "girl type" books. Although maybe for the boys you have to dig a little deeper. With my son, he ends up getting older books (like Hardy Boys) at the library because he's already read all the Wimpy Kid or Captain Underpants books.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I work in an elementary school and see that there are LOTS of books for both boys and girls.
ReplyDeleteAs a society, are we encouraging boys to read? Do parents and teachers help boys find the right books?
I don't know.
Shelley
I have trouble finding enough books that appeal to my son. He ends up reading books that he loves over and over, which isn't a bad thing. It was easier when he was younger, and I think when he's older he'll find books he likes as well. But for an 11yo who reads way above his grade level, it's hard to find books that match his reading AND age level.
ReplyDelete