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Why Men Don't Read
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Implied by Bobby, is there more to this than advertising or culture? Is there something in the testosterone action-based preferences of men that precludes settling down with a good book and experiencing feelings vicariously?
I think it is more about purchasing habits. Men may not purchase books as much as women but I think they read just as much. The question the article raises is whether that is a result of marketing efforts or are men just not interested in purchasing books? Honestly, shopping for a book takes effort. Wouldn't it be great to have an expensive television, a truck, a power tool instead? Buying a book is like buying a duvet cover, what's the point?Here are some stats I encountered while I was researching a bit: (from Bookmarket.com)
55% of all Americans are women.
Women are said to control 80% of every dollar spent on consumer goods. According to a 1991 Gallup survey, 59% of all books bought each year (and 72% of all books given as gifts) are bought by women.
What are their favorite subjects? 81% buy cookbooks, 71% children's books, and 69% buy fitness books. In fiction, they buy romances (92%), children's fiction (79%), contemporary fiction (79%), and humor (55%).
Statistics related to reading based on gender are surprisingly difficult to find and the ones above are kind of old. Apparantly, books haven't been marketed to men much.
The reason I read is because as a child my father was always reading something and because my grandfather was always reading whenever we visited. There was also a male children's/teen librarian at my library. There were always books around my house with guy appeal, Stephen King, Robert Heinlein... Then I encountered Gary Paulsen and I became a reading monster! I thought that it was normal for men to read.As I grew older I realized that I was really the only person that read in my class at school besides one girl who always had her nose in a book. So I never looked at it as a girl vs. guy thing. I just assumed that most people don't really read.
I think that having the male role model is the most important thing to get boys to read, and to continue reading once they are hooked. Keep their hands full of great books, they may not search them out for themselves.
Many men read, maybe boys and teens not as much. But I think that can change if the correct materials are placed in their hands. You may have to do some selling, but many books sell themselves when they are found.
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Almost one more month and I will be a librarian! Somebody hire me, we need male reading role models!! Ha, just kidding! But not about the hiring thing... that was serious.
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I really enjoyed this article, Bobby! Thanks for posting it. I've got to say that this hits home because I grew up in a house where men didn't read. My father hated reading, I'm pretty sure he has a learning disability bu doesn't know it, and my brother hates it too. On the other hand, my mother, sister and I are voracious readers. I grew up with the assumption that reading was a female hobby. However, working at the library the last ten years has changed my mind. I see plenty of men coming into the library to pick out books to read for pleasure or for educational purposes.
I think that majority of boys who are reluctant readers just need a male role model to follow. I applaud those dads who are able and willing to bring their young sons to my story times. I just know that they are raising the future male readers of America!
Have you all thought about starting a Guys Read program? We have this at one of our branches. It's for middle to high school boys, where they sit around, eat, scratch themselves, and talk about what they're reading. LOL... Seriously. Have you all looked at the Guys Read website? http://www.guysread.com/ Sean could start one while he's looking/waiting for a pro position to open up. Just a suggestion!
That is a very interesting idea Melissa!I was actually just looking at the Guys Read program the other day because I am writing a research paper about (well it is still in its infancy) the utilization of 2.0 technologies in young adult reader's advisory.
I had been to the page many times, but that was the first time I saw the actual program page and began reading about it. Then I realized I was just procrastinating on reading my articles. However, I ended up finding great articles by Jon Scieszka, the founder, to add to my research.
Something to look into when I finish up my work and practicum this quarter. Thanks for the idea Melissa, I wonder if Anythink is interested in providing a space - or if their guys would have any interest in sitting around, eating, scratching themselves, and talking about books?
Gosh, I hope so. :-) If you want, I can give you contact info for the guy who runs the program.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-p...
Is the problem of low male readership actually perpetuated by the vicious cycle the author speaks about or are there larger factors influencing the statistics?