As I understand it, the Pilgrims and other New Englanders invented public (elementary) schooling in the early days of our country for religious reasons. They thought that a person would have direct access to God's word if that person could read the Bible. When today's citizens think of the basics of education, reading, writing and basic arithmetic still figure largely in their picture of schooling should be about.
However, I am always intrigued with the number of people who can read but don't. Sometimes, it is a matter of body energy. The person needs to move and reading is a sedentary activity. Sometimes, it is a matter of a picture of what there is to read. Books can be fairly expensive and the average person might not want to spend money on books that are about their real interest. While public libraries are totally marvelous these days, many people aren't near one or simply don't think of them for their own use.
In a way that is similar to being able to read but not finding it worth actually doing, the modern user of computers may have access to the internet and to Google but not find use them for purposes of extending their own personal knowledge. I know many highly educated people who don't think of using the internet to check an idea or find a good source of information about their areas of interest.
It is a truism today that education matters and it certainly does. However, the dream of education for all still needs some serious work before it is much of a reality. We haven't found the tools, the training activities and the motivators to open people's eyes to the potential of the information world to help them and enrich their lives.
When the copyeditor looked this over, she added that some people have not had a tradition of interest in and respect for reading to allow them to believe in the activity. Or, even to think of it, for that matter. I am interested in the number of people who tried to read some that interested them and heard while doing so, "Boy, do you have your nose stuck in a book again?" There is a passage in one of the opening songs in The Music Man, that lovely commentary on life and American culture. The confidence man is aiming at stirring up interest (and dollars) for a boys' band. He names what are common tasks that the young are charged with but ignore while playing pool. In a similar way, weeding or ironing or walking the dog are often presented as valuable contributions to the family's life while reading is personal, contained and uselss.
