• FlyingSpaceCow@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    16
    ·
    30 days ago

    21% of American adults are illiterate (54% read below a 6th grade level)

    17% of Canadian adults are illiterate.

    I keep coming back to these points as it’s important context when understanding the news.

    • Malfeasant@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      9
      ·
      30 days ago

      That’s… horrifying. I had no idea it was that high. I have to wonder how anyone can be illiterate, after watching my kids learn to read, and how little effort it took (on my part I mean, they were putting effort into it, because they wanted to)

      • FlyingSpaceCow@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        30 days ago

        I should point out that a portion of the stat comes from immigrants who are fully literate in their native language.

        National literacy as a topic forms an interesting picture that I don’t fully understand.

        • vaultdweller013
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          30 days ago

          Yeah the data is kinda fucky cause of that, this has always been a factor too one of my ancestors spoke decent English but could only read and write in German he was considered technically illiterate.