I keep mentioning the fact that men read less than women.
I framed our last discussion around the idea that society perceives novels as a feminine pursuit, so naturally, changing that mindset should be our first step. But that objective will take a generation to accomplish.
What can we do right now? How can we get men to start reading? Well, instill in your boys a love for the written word at a young age, and they will carry that passion into adulthood. The first step is a candid conversation.
Sit your boys down and determine where they stand. Do they like to read? If not, what factors have made reading a challenge for them? If they like books, what obstacles have prevented them from pursuing the hobby as frequently as they would like? Their answers will determine your next step.
Digital libraries such as ‘Open Library’ and ‘Project Gutenberg’ will put millions of books at your fingertips for free. If your child’s school has a library, talk to their teacher. You might be surprised to learn that some children are too shy to visit the library. The thought of walking up to a librarian and asking if they can borrow a book is frightening to them.
It sounds rather silly when you say it out loud, which is why most children are unlikely to reveal this fear. They are too embarrassed.
But if you can coax this information out of them via an open and judgment- free conversation, you can take steps to help your child, such as asking their teacher to break the ice by personally introducing your child to the librarian.
Where possible, you should also create an arrangement where the librarian brings books to your child’s classroom weekly. If you have a healthy reading habit, don’t hide it. Create a home library and fill the shelves with books.
Make sure books are a visible aspect of your home. Make your boys as comfortable around books as possible. If you are a woman, give them male role models. That can mean starting a book club that allows men of varying ages to congregate at your home for the express purpose of reading.
You can create a similar program for young people where you invite boys and girls from your neighbourhood to read at your home. The promise of free snacks should be sufficient incentive.
Younger boys are the easiest to influence, because you can just read to them. As for the pre-teens and teenagers, carve out a gap in the evening where you read in one another’s company.
For instance, everyone can meet on the veranda between 8PM and 8:30PM, during which you all sit and read quietly. Physical books should be mandatory. eBooks won’t work for beginners. The temptation of social media makes phones and tablets dangerous. Make an effort to maintain your home’s reading schedule.
You can even give your kids the option of selecting a book for the entire family to read. Then you can meet once a week to discuss it. But this means having an open mind. Don’t force your 10-year-old to read Shakespeare when he prefers comic books.
You can take turns reading each other’s recommendations. Your boys will only take your recommendations seriously if you have done the same for their selections.
Don’t be afraid to talk to other parents; if they already have reading clubs with male members, find out whether they have an open spot for your boys. If your child has failed to find the joy in reading despite your best efforts, don’t overreact; people are different. Change tracks. Find out what your child would rather do and support them in that.
katmic200@gmail.com