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hack89

(39,171 posts)

140. Can't remember the last time I have written more than a sentence in cursive

Thu Jan 25, 2024, 08:46 PM

Jan 2024

It is an obsolete skill that has no real significance in the modern world.

And this is from someone with excellent communications skills who writes an awful lot every day.

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Cursive writing is not being taught in much of America. [View all] Cyrano Jan 2024 OP

It's a boomer super-power. . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2024 #1

Along with being able to drive a vehicle with standard transmission. diane in sf Jan 2024 #40

I can, but I'm old and I really wouldn't like to start doing that again. CTyankee Jan 2024 #63

I am 75 years old and have only ever driven cars with standard transmissions. PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #158

My wife and I both can drive a stick, our 3 boys can't. We have an old 5 speed convertible, it's fun. dem4decades Jan 2024 #203

"many of the sales people have never met a woman who could drive a stick." llmart Jan 2024 #206

Tried to teach my kids....neither figured it out. OAITW r.2.0 Jan 2024 #160

When my son was learning to drive, PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #174

In traffic, in hilly terrain. It's a special kind of skill. Prairie_Seagull Jan 2024 #211

I taught my son to drive a three speed CJ5 Jeep Emile Jan 2024 #201

What is also insane is that this 21 yr old at my job couldn't figure it out at all and I had to rewrite it... GuppyGal Jan 2024 #2

That is nuts! happybird Jan 2024 #10

Boy, he's gonna be in trouble when the nurse asks him to draw 2:15 on the nice blank circle! rsdsharp Jan 2024 #16

Probably can't read a sundial either, the horror. n/t Alpeduez21 Jan 2024 #127

...or work an abacus. GhostHunter22 Jan 2024 #143

Wait till he's handed a slide rule. Lochloosa Jan 2024 #169

Meh. PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #176

The abacus is actually extremely helpful in learning math redqueen Jan 2024 #213

When I was in fourth grade, PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #175

I Use Cursive At School... ProfessorGAC Jan 2024 #26

Cursive with a dip pen and ink? canetoad Jan 2024 #128

Nah! ProfessorGAC Jan 2024 #129

𝓌𝑒𝓁𝓁, 𝒾 𝑔𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒾𝓉 𝒽𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝒸𝑒𝓇𝓉𝒶 getagrip_already Jan 2024 #3

Not fair, that's a font. haele Jan 2024 #74

As the way and reasons we transmit information change, we discard older techniques naturally. WhiskeyGrinder Jan 2024 #4

Research seems to show it helps with brain development redqueen Jan 2024 #214

I couldn't agree more. jimfields33 Jan 2024 #5

I'm 70 years old, so of course I can read and write it. Pretty well, actually. Goodheart Jan 2024 #6

Interesting. I just jotted down a note on that. Cyrano Jan 2024 #9

This message was self-deleted by its author edisdead Jan 2024 #55

I whole-heartedly agree. nt KarenS Jan 2024 #12

I'm 71, so obviously I used it in grade school and can read it, or most of it that is legible, elocs Jan 2024 #17

I'd actually prefer Jilly_in_VA Jan 2024 #20

I don't kow what Italic script is, but Cyrano Jan 2024 #42

Cursive and Italic are similar, but the former has more loops and curls and the letters are connected tornado34jh Jan 2024 #80

Agreed edisdead Jan 2024 #57

Well said. Xavier Breath Jan 2024 #104

Incorrect. redqueen Jan 2024 #215

There are many other things which help with brain development and motor skills. Goodheart Jan 2024 #223

Which things are you referring to? redqueen Jan 2024 #227

The longhand version of the Declaration of Independence was just for bragging rights. Aristus Jan 2024 #7

Called The "Broadsides" ProfessorGAC Jan 2024 #27

A guy in my town found one in a thrift shop several years ago Tanuki Jan 2024 #58

Outstanding! ProfessorGAC Jan 2024 #64

Meanwhile, the guy who donated it to the thrift store Tanuki Jan 2024 #69

What A Drag ProfessorGAC Jan 2024 #113

There are still non-printed documents out there, such as family letters. LeftInTX Jan 2024 #73

And if someone wants to read them Mariana Jan 2024 #145

Interesting points, esp. about the DoI in the post offfice window, and yet c-rational Jan 2024 #105

Literacy matters. Cursive writing helps kids' brains. redqueen Jan 2024 #216

One of my grandsons Jilly_in_VA Jan 2024 #8

Great example. Cyrano Jan 2024 #15

I had to learn it. SarahD Jan 2024 #11

Good for you, SarahD. Cyrano Jan 2024 #93

Bring back hieroglyphics! Hassin Bin Sober Jan 2024 #13

Cuneiform or cave paintings Jerry2144 Jan 2024 #30

I agree with you completely fernlady Jan 2024 #14

I'm surprised you didn't teach your daughters to read cursive Mariana Jan 2024 #146

This message was self-deleted by its author senseandsensibility Jan 2024 #18

I do not understand the obsession with cursive writing. BlueTsunami2018 Jan 2024 #19

Benefits Dorian Gray Jan 2024 #198

The only thing I use cursive for anymore... Silent3 Jan 2024 #21

That's a good point. Teaching it now is just a waste of teacher time and materials. Goodheart Jan 2024 #23

Absolutely! NewLarry Jan 2024 #67

But can you read it? PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #161

Yes, but I also encountered it frequently outside of school Silent3 Jan 2024 #170

Here are some pretty good reasons from google Cyrano Jan 2024 #22

This message was self-deleted by its author John Shaft Jan 2024 #24

Cursive writing and critical thinking are interlinked. Cyrano Jan 2024 #29

Also good for developing fine motor skills Easterncedar Jan 2024 #56

That's funny, since most doctors' signatures are illegible Clash City Rocker Jan 2024 #192

Lots of MORE USEFUL things and practices also improve brain development Goodheart Jan 2024 #76

Clever use there of "interlinked" as though critical thinking skills depend on cursive writing. Goodheart Jan 2024 #82

This message was self-deleted by its author relayerbob Jan 2024 #87

Learning to write in cursive is shown to improve brain development in the areas of thinking, language and working memory Donkees Jan 2024 #25

Thank you intrepidity Jan 2024 #38

It becomes easier to tap into a flow state where creativity and focus are amplified, Donkees Jan 2024 #60

The same claims used to be made for diagramming sentences JCMach1 Jan 2024 #147

I have gotten into discussions, read arguments, with PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #171

Cursive is still taught in private schools, some public schools, and is making a comeback Donkees Jan 2024 #200

I'm not being snarky here, just curious... llmart Jan 2024 #207

I feel one of the most useful things I ever learned was diagramming sentences. Susan Calvin Jan 2024 #220

It was a complete waste of time for me. It neither helped me develop JCMach1 Jan 2024 #234

Phonics? How do people even learn to read without phonics? Susan Calvin Jan 2024 #240

In depth discussion here JCMach1 Jan 2024 #244

After having read several paragraphs, Susan Calvin Jan 29 #245

Phonics and basal readers almost destroyed me as a student JCMach1 Jan 30 #246

Well, if that's who's pushing it, Susan Calvin Jan 30 #248

What it's saying is more than a decade of pushing phonics in UK JCMach1 Jan 30 #247

Ditto LAS14 Jan 2024 #230

At one time public schools offered a quality education incorporating the liberal arts Donkees Jan 2024 #232

I only use cursive for a signature sakabatou Jan 2024 #28

If you had told me when I was younger... Think. Again. Jan 2024 #31

Other issue is fine motor control... JT45242 Jan 2024 #32

I learned fine motor control gay texan Jan 2024 #133

Left handed by any chance? I am. I use a half hook position to write cursive electric_blue68 Jan 2024 #235

There's research out there that indicates PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #163

I was a science major. My notes were usually full of math equations, sketches, graphs, etc. hunter Jan 2024 #217

I was told by someone at the post office, bamagal62 Jan 2024 #33

That advice has been out there for at least 30, maybe 40 years or more. PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #165

True. bamagal62 Jan 2024 #168

I can't even read my own cursive nowadays Redleg Jan 2024 #34

I use cursive because I can write faster than I can print. patphil Jan 2024 #35

I remember reading somewhere happybird Jan 2024 #59

IMO cursive has (rightfully) become Disaffected Jan 2024 #36

Sad that future generations won't be able to read the nation's actual, original, founding documents... brush Jan 2024 #37

People who want to read old documents can learn to read cursive on their own. Mariana Jan 2024 #148

I learned cursive when I was a kid, and couldn't read most of them Clash City Rocker Jan 2024 #193

If the goal is to convey the message ripcord Jan 2024 #39

My favorite memory from school was learning cursive writing. madaboutharry Jan 2024 #41

Not this stuff again..... Happy Hoosier Jan 2024 #43

Neither is the abacus... JCMach1 Jan 2024 #44

Using the abacus does indeed improve critical thinking and motor skills Goodheart Jan 2024 #226

I haven't written cursive in 30 years...nor have I had a need to read it. brooklynite Jan 2024 #45

Careful Cursive Writing is a MAGAT Buga-boo rlexx Jan 2024 #46

Agree. How do you read the letters sent home from your sinkingfeeling Jan 2024 #47

You go buy a book for ten bucks, and learn to read cursive. Mariana Jan 2024 #150

Reading ability does not equal writing ability swong19104 Jan 2024 #48

What do people do for signatures? nt pnwmom Jan 2024 #49

Signatures don't have to be written in cursive. They can be lettered. Mariana Jan 2024 #151

cursive is not easy for anyone to read Avis Jan 2024 #50

Some benefits of cursive. Read it and weep. (just kidding, but cursive is a good thing) Joinfortmill Jan 2024 #51

How about teaching morse code, too? DBoon Jan 2024 #52

In my public office we needed to to read cursive Easterncedar Jan 2024 #53

No doubt they might turn up soldierant Jan 2024 #109

It's been 2-3 decades since they taught cursive in school Ms. Toad Jan 2024 #54

My children learned D'Nealian as well, phylny Jan 2024 #90

It's an obsolete hobby skill Orrex Jan 2024 #61

Printing is inefficient compared to cursive bucolic_frolic Jan 2024 #62

Writing in cursive is an act that involves both sides of your brain, so maybe that's pnwmom Jan 2024 #65

Same in Canada and I had no idea until I wrote out my Xmas cards to the grandchildren Bev54 Jan 2024 #66

My kid (senior in HS now) learned cursive. SYFROYH Jan 2024 #68

Cursive is a lot faster. I use both but I leftyladyfrommo Jan 2024 #75

I fought this battle and lost in my kids school at the turn of the century. Prairie_Seagull Jan 2024 #70

You didn't teach them at home? Mariana Jan 2024 #155

Sorry, What? Prairie_Seagull Jan 2024 #209

Gen X here, for reference. Otterdaemmerung Jan 2024 #71

Put aside that it's middle english..: Happy Hoosier Jan 2024 #84

I can't read cuneiform or hieroglyphics Alpeduez21 Jan 2024 #121

I gave up writing cursive when I was about 14 paulkienitz Jan 2024 #72

Careful... folks around here will say you lack critical thinking skills. Goodheart Jan 2024 #86

about as convincing as the latest ad for an Android app that's supposed to help you fight congnitive decline paulkienitz Jan 2024 #130

Believe it will be taught here in California. Also, critical thinking skills Polly Hennessey Jan 2024 #77

I go back to the question raised by electronic life style as a whole: what happens when the power goes out? Ford_Prefect Jan 2024 #78

An interesting thread, but you've nailed it, as well as some others. Abolishinist Jan 2024 #189

I learned shorthand Jimbo S Jan 2024 #79

I would have thought that shorthand would have been a great skill to own. Chainfire Jan 2024 #81

I learned shorthand in high school. I still use it a little. I reviewed it during the lockdown. raccoon Jan 2024 #197

I stopped using it in grade school ... relayerbob Jan 2024 #83

I had read an article months ago about young people not being able to read niyad Jan 2024 #85

I learned to print before I entered school. I learned cursive ("grown-up writing") only in mid-early grades. eppur_se_muova Jan 2024 #88

Whenever I read the Constitution, it is in print eallen Jan 2024 #89

I can think of many reasons why it is important but... Hope22 Jan 2024 #91

Correct... Goodheart Jan 2024 #92

Exactly what I was thinking birdographer Jan 2024 #95

🤣😁😂 Hope22 Jan 2024 #131

No one is teaching how to make change, either. lastlib Jan 2024 #94

Not good to teach kids math if cursive gets overlooked! Goodheart Jan 2024 #96

I confuse them by giving them $10.25 for an $8.20 charge, for better change Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2024 #204

I can't think of any reason to continue to teach cursive writing. As long as basic writing is still taught beaglelover Jan 2024 #97

One subject I absolutely hated. ificandream Jan 2024 #98

And THERE'S another good reason for it die. Goodheart Jan 2024 #100

It's their world BaronChocula Jan 2024 #99

I think it's high time we start teaching a NEW alphabet that more accurately reflects the sounds we make... Goodheart Jan 2024 #101

I think it's slowly happening BaronChocula Jan 2024 #102

With or without 'sliding' vowel sounds found in different dialects of English? Model35mech Jan 2024 #108

Nice idea, but if words are spelled PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #177

Out with the old, in with the new Shermann Jan 2024 #103

I can write in cursive... my son can write computer code. WarGamer Jan 2024 #106

Gen X here. We were allowed to JenniferJuniper Jan 2024 #107

What are the advantages? Doodley Jan 2024 #117

Speaking for myself, JenniferJuniper Jan 2024 #119

Thank you for your reply. Being old, I don't remember a time I couldn't write in cursive, so it's hard to Doodley Jan 2024 #132

Agree.... Mossfern Jan 2024 #186

As a left-hander, my hand rests differently on the page when printing AZSkiffyGeek Jan 2024 #138

Interesting. I never thought of that. Doodley Jan 2024 #178

Keep in mind, some lefties PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #182

That's exactly it AZSkiffyGeek Jan 2024 #185

No, he doesn't have a smearing problem because PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #195

Lefty who uses a ?half hook. Idk about brain hemispheres... electric_blue68 Jan 2024 #237

Hmmm! Idk if I hook when I print. I do both electric_blue68 Jan 2024 #238

Ha! Try learning Calligraphy (Art College) when you're left-handed... electric_blue68 Jan 2024 #236

Yep. Same. herding cats Jan 2024 #153

It's not in the curriculum, but I teach it anyway. aocommunalpunch Jan 2024 #110

So when you are asked for your signature, will print be acceptable? Fla Dem Jan 2024 #111

... Mariana Jan 2024 #156

So some young people cant' read/write cursive TxGuitar Jan 2024 #112

Cursive was useful before such an extensive print culture GenThePerservering Jan 2024 #114

When something in cursive is important to the plot of a movie I think about this. betsuni Jan 2024 #115

Ask young people what they know about the holocaust. This is part of the dumbing down of America. Doodley Jan 2024 #116

I'm 78, so of course Ilearned it soldierant Jan 2024 #118

I don't Rebl2 Jan 2024 #120

People in many walks of life used to "do cursive." BadgerKid Jan 2024 #122

Morse code and smoke signals or GTFO nt Rob H. Jan 2024 #123

Morse code isnt even a requirement gay texan Jan 2024 #134

I think learning multiple languages would be a bigger benefit JI7 Jan 2024 #124

Replace it with semaphore. Problem solved. nt GenThePerservering Jan 2024 #125

In 2018 my daughter's 3rd grade teacher said her handwriting was messy Alpeduez21 Jan 2024 #126

It wasn't only about the writing. It's about learning a skill, dexterity, and discipline. Why learn fractions? Doodley Jan 2024 #137

If it's about learning a skill, dexterity, and discipline Alpeduez21 Jan 2024 #166

There is always more useless stuff to be learnt at school! Doodley Jan 2024 #180

i learned cursive in school, i haven't hardly used it in at least 25 years Takket Jan 2024 #135

My 2 kids are 36 and 26 mcar Jan 2024 #136

It's not on the high-stakes standardized test, so why would they teach it? jmowreader Jan 2024 #139

Can't remember the last time I have written more than a sentence in cursive hack89 Jan 2024 #140

I keep part of my journals in cursive, part typed on the computer, and snot Jan 2024 #141

Haven't used it in 30+ years. Xolodno Jan 2024 #142

When I want to leave a note to a teacher I'm substituting for I will write the note in cursive kimbutgar Jan 2024 #144

Learning it was torture, just one more thing that made school hell. hunter Jan 2024 #149

Long ago, writing was chiseled onto stones PJMcK Jan 2024 #152

Next you're gonna tell me newdayneeded Jan 2024 #154

I can barely write my signature in cursive. Somewhere along the way. I started writing in capitol block. OAITW r.2.0 Jan 2024 #157

They would need to have historical documents translated JohnSJ Jan 2024 #159

There's nothing wrong with that. Mariana Jan 2024 #191

If it were my kids kacekwl Jan 2024 #162

makes me happy when I look on Reddit and see certain categories: IcyPeas Jan 2024 #164

I am a calligrapher myself.... Happy Hoosier Jan 2024 #167

That is very encouraging! redqueen Jan 2024 #212

A lot of younger people can't write out a proper signature. Mosby Jan 2024 #172

Cursive Handwriting 49jim Jan 2024 #173

Well, my generation can't chisel words into granite or write eloquently on parchment. Silent Type Jan 2024 #179

How do students learn to sign their name? dlk Jan 2024 #181

Signatures don't need to be in cursive. Mariana Jan 2024 #188

There's cursive and printing dlk Jan 2024 #205

My mother was born in 1916. She attended Catholic schools as a child. PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #183

I quit using it as soon as my teachers let me. ThoughtCriminal Jan 2024 #184

cursive writing is returning to classrooms across California. Why some local teachers say it never should have left. CoopersDad Jan 2024 #187

My cursive writing was never very good.... DemocraticPatriot Jan 2024 #190

I used to collect fountain pens. Straw Man Jan 2024 #194

I'm in my 70's and I don't think it should be taught any more. raccoon Jan 2024 #196

For people who think cursive is hopelessly out of date, well, so is anything written more than betsuni Jan 2024 #199

Now, next step is to teach doctors how to print Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2024 #202

My Father ( b. 1910) learned Latin in school. No one was considered to be "educated" who could not read and Chainfire Jan 2024 #208

Isn't there already enough scientific evidence to support teaching it? redqueen Jan 2024 #210

Couldn't agree more. Cyrano Jan 2024 #221

I wish there was more research into these things redqueen Jan 2024 #225

No, there isn't. Goodheart Jan 2024 #222

No, it was demonstrated through peer reviewed research redqueen Jan 2024 #224

Once again, because you missed the point the first time around... Goodheart Jan 2024 #228

Which things are you referring to? redqueen Jan 2024 #231

I have many letters written by my father's paternal grandfather during... 3catwoman3 Jan 2024 #218

If you didn't read cursive and you wanted to read those letters, wouldn't you learn? Mariana Jan 2024 #242

A good point. I probably would have, as I am fascinated by family history. 3catwoman3 Jan 2024 #243

I defy anyone to print as fast as they can write longhand. Susan Calvin Jan 2024 #219

And shorthand is even better. Goodheart Jan 2024 #229

In my opinion, because the only application of shorthand is to take notes. Susan Calvin Jan 2024 #233

Well, I (at 70) never gave up my cursive writing even as a left hander. I print, too... electric_blue68 Jan 2024 #239

Same in Canada with some exceptions. EllieBC Jan 2024 #241

How will they sign their names? Nt Quixote1818 Jan 30 #249