We need to revive a culture of reading
NOWADAYS, we see many adults and teenagers spending a lot of their time in front of television sets.
Most of the programmes we see on TV are not educational, while a number of movies and sitcoms consist of violent tendencies and sex that are not fit for human consumption.
Of course, I don’t see anything wrong with watching sports programme, news and talk shows where you can gain information.
Before the advent of TV, South Africans young and old were in the habit of reading newspapers and magazines, particularly those that carried good feature articles.
When TV came along, the lifestyle of the adults and the younger generation changed drastically. We began to see new habits formed that are not conducive to society.
What appears to be most in people’s mind is sex and I don’t have to go into detailing the ills of today’s society. It is best policy for various organisations like welfare, and the government to place adverts in newspapers and magazines, and TV, to hold talk shows and act in other ways.
These would call on the public, old and young, encouraging them to spend more of their time reading, whether it is newspapers, good wholesome magazines, or literature that is educational.
Parents should also undertake to encourage their children, even if they are teenagers, to read.
I believe some good will come out of all this, if genuine efforts are made by everyone.
Perhaps, the children of the next generation may not lack manners, respect, and discipline.
Let efforts be made today so we may see the fruits in the future.