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Cursive Writing Going Away?

By Sharon Simms

Real Estate Agent with Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International

October 15, 2006 09:51 PM

I was shocked to read in the Sunday paper yesterday that many students in school are not learning cursive writing. Yes, I know computers have come into the classrooms and I think that's great, but that shouldn't be reason to not learn to write. Many schools say they have to spend so much time preparing for standard tests such as the FCAT here in Florida, that there is no time to learn cursive. It reported that for 1.5 million students taking the written section of the SAT, only 15% used cursive in their responses - the others just printed.

If writing handwritten notes is so important, and we know it is, isn't writing part of it? We see an envelope, or a note - and recognize the handwriting, and smile. Besides, printing is slower.

Will cursive become a lost art? Will only calligraphers be able to write? What a shame, what a loss.

Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent serving St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.

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Teresa Boardman

Boardman Realty - Saint Paul, MN

I guess I am happy to see the cursive thing die out. When i was in school and when my kids were in school it seems like the teachers were so into cursive that they graded writing by how it looked not the content. I think learning to print is good enough., and the all should be taught to use a keyboard. i wonder how many re professionals out there hunt and peck their way though a blog entry.

Oct 15, 2006 11:26 PM

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Teresa - my 9 year old grandson not only has computers as part of his daily schoolwork (two years ago they had him doing a research project and making charts and graphs) but is excited now that they are teaching him how to type without looking at the keyboard.

Oct 15, 2006 11:30 PM

Lenn Harley

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA

Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Crusive is nice to look at, handy, quick and great, if it can be read by others. Printing is slow but it works.

Problem with some folks is that their handwriting is admittedly bad, juvinile and impossible to understand; their printing skills are unknown and THEY CAN'T TYPE.

THESE poor folks are the ones who can't, don't write. Since writing is an acquired skill, folks with no skills in cursive, printing or typing, simply don't. When they have to send a simple e-mail it will often be awkward and poorly constructed.

I believe that the lack of writing composition skills is one of the areas where our public schools severaly fail our children.

It affects them for the rest of their life.

Oct 15, 2006 11:49 PM

Susan Milner

Florida Future Realty, Inc. - Cape Coral, FL

Cape Coral Real Estate Broker, FloridaFutureAgents

I can barely even write in cursive anymore. Its hurts my hands. My hands are so used to typing.

My 3 year old is pretty much refusing to print (even though he can) & instead likes to type on the computer. I wonder what his generation will be like. Will there be ANY writing at all?

I still make it a point to send hand written notes here & there but it's not fun for me at all :(

Oct 16, 2006 12:21 AM

Rob Robinson- Lehigh Valley PA

Bertrum Settlements (Title & Abstract) - Allentown, PA

When I write, it's almost always printed letters in CAPS. (geeze) BUT - it's legible. My 'cursive' days are over as I want to write so fast, it's difficult to read.

I find reading MANY people's cursive writing quite difficult to interperate. People tend to be slopping with their handwriting, so while the MESSAGE may be great....what's the point if it cannot be read?

Oct 16, 2006 12:54 AM

Leigh Brown

Leigh Brown & Associates, RE/MAX Executive - Charlotte, NC

CEO, Dream Maker - Charlotte, NC

This makes me so sad. We are quickly losing the art form that is individual handwriting not to mention the loss of 'real' letters and mail. I would rather take a few minutes to decipher someone's personal handwriting than get the point quickly without a touch of that person involved. I guess it comes back to the need for immediate information and gratification. I vote for teaching kids to write cursive and encouraging them to send letters and cards in the mail.

Oct 16, 2006 01:12 AM

Rosemary Brooks

BMC Real Estate - 209-910-3706 - Stockton, CA

The Mother & Daughter Realty Team

I found something nice on the computer.... I like using it on my blogs and fun stuff. I like handwriting but the computer has made it something we don't have to do all the time.

Isn't this cute!!! MyLiveSignature

Jul 17, 2007 08:47 AM

Cursive Writing Going Away?

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