Importance of Literacy - Education Essay Samle

Over the years, societies consider literacy as the ability to read and write. Its influence is not only in reading and writing but capacity to apply these abilities to connect, interpret and distinguish the complexities of the world. Literacy in the past decade has faced transformation to incorporate interactive and digital applications (Vig, 2016). Consequently, todays learners encounter a myriad of both traditional and digital literacies making literacy an important pillar in life.

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Individuals, families, societies and nations all benefits in one way or the other from literacy. In fact, in modern societies literacy is significant in making informed decisions, personal empowerment, and participation in local and global social welfares. One of the classified benefits of literacy is human growth. For instance, there is a consensus that literacy has a positive impact on self-esteem due to increased self-confidence. Learners are also empowered to take either discrete or collective actions in several contexts. In an attempt to attain gender equality, women are encouraged to participate in programs likely to boost their level of literacy especially in countries where women are only supposed to carry out domestic duties. In the political arena, literacy can lead to improved political participation refining the quality of public policies, agreements, and democracy. For example, literates are likely to take part in the voting process and will advocate for tolerable attitudes and democratic values. Therefore, countries are keen to set particular educational qualification for politicians to counter the likelihood of politicians making unsound decisions that might result in political instability. Also, literacy impacts peace and reconciliation process in case of a post-conflict context and other conflicts raised due to either ethnic or ideological differences.

On the other hand, literacy endorse cultural diversity and people adapt to different cultural practices with minimal conflicts. Several literacy programs may facilitate transmission of individual values by promoting transformative attitudes, values, and behaviors through critical reflection. Literate people can explore written educational materials to learn more about their culture and those of other groups providing more information on their traditions and beliefs. Afterward, they develop tolerance on the diverse cultural beliefs by challenging attitudes and behavioral patterns to promote equity, respect and inclusion for peace and cultural diversity. People can as well preserve their culture through learning materials for other generation to learn more about the pillars of their society (Vig, 2016). The practice of literateness is also instrumental in achieving social welfares such as sustainable health, controlled reproduction, raising healthy children and promoting continuous learning practices among others. In areas where literacy levels are at a standard level, there is increased life expectancy, better children health, and reduced mortality. Due to some of these social benefits and developed life, adults are taking part in some programs aimed at educating them on the importance of literacy. Families are also abandoning some practices as adult participants continue gaining a reasonable voice in household discussions thus promoting their family lives.

Literacy has many economic returns. Primarily, it is a major determinant of economic growth and individual income. In fact, literacy has a positive influence on earnings as compared other factors such as the number of years an individual use for studies. Economies with larger rates of human capital deposit, therefore, experience fast progression. Investments aimed at raising the average level of technical skills also leads to substantial economic returns. Economist has come to a census that the average literacy mark in a particular population is a better indicator of growth than the proportion of the population with very high literacy levels (Vig, 2016). Therefore, this implies that the number of educated citizens a country determines its economic standards. Also, significant disparities in literacy rates between populations results to income inequality with the deprived citizen more likely to benefit from literacy policies and programs. Also, educated people are likely to engage in investments as compared to their counterparts. People have to identify opportunities in the society and develop a strategy to exploit them for their good and that of the society. However, in instances where they cannot integrate and merge with other social factors due to illiteracy, these opportunities are never utilized.

In conclusion, literacy should be a right for all as it confers unique benefits to individuals, groups, societies and nations. Therefore, if not acquired by schooling, it is necessary for adults to participate in other literacy programs as they promote their self-esteem and empower them to face the world with courage. It explains the reason why developing countries and less thriving communities are emphasizing on literacy, as it is a solution to most of their challenges. Literacy not only help people to succeed in the current domain but it changes their way of thinking and ability to address concepts that are more abstract with ease. Due to originality and revolution in reasoning importance of literacy are evident in social, political and economic arenas. In the modern times, illiterates are facing numerous challenges as a gift of literacy impacts our nations in profound ways. Lastly, the world is better today because literacy affects the manner we think and function as members of the communities we live. Without the capability to read, write and communicate effectively, cooperation and peaceful coexistence in the globe would be difficult to achieve.

Reference

Vig, V. (2016). Why Literacy Matters. BW Businessworld. Retrieved 18 February 2017, from http://businessworld.in/article/Why-Literacy-Matters-/18-05-2016-98167/.