General Discussion

MillennialDem

(2,367 posts)

47. I am 33 and grew up learning cursive - I find it worthless. I type and use my computer a lot and hav

Reply to Algernon Moncrieff (Original post)

Sun Jun 15, 2014, 10:31 AM

Jun 2014

e since I was given my first one at age 7.

I do print written stuff quite a bit. Including at work. I understand the use of the neural pathways in writing things down as opposed to typing them - this is also readily apparent when you're doing math. For some reason using your hands to work out a problem is much, much easier than solely trying to use your head.

That said - I see no point to cursive. Printing is fine and more legible. Even the best cursive can be a bit annoying to read. On a side note, at those stupid touch pad things at stores where you have to sign for credit card purchases I just scribble because there is no way the vast majority of the population can do a legible cursive signature on those. One time I just signed it Mickey Mouse for a goof.

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Cursive [View all] Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 OP

teach both. Tuesday Afternoon Jun 2014 #1

+1 nt steve2470 Jun 2014 #2

That plus OriginalGeek Jun 2014 #3

How many hours exist in your day MattBaggins Jun 2014 #22

cute. Please see post#3 above in this thread. Tuesday Afternoon Jun 2014 #44

It doesn't take that long to learn either of them. GoCubsGo Jun 2014 #59

Moreover, how many hours a day will that school age child be willing to learn cursive? nolabels Jun 2014 #74

The same amount of hours as when both were taught consistently? LanternWaste Jun 2014 #81

That's irrelevant. My sons in elementary school were taught cursive pnwmom Jun 2014 #94

In total agreement JustAnotherGen Jun 2014 #26

Being taught to lead a pen over paper teaches more than just writing. KitSileya Jun 2014 #4

I'm sure there is great benefit from teaching a child how to handle a team of horses Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #6

I don't think that there's any other exercise that combines muscles and mind the same way. KitSileya Jun 2014 #9

I gotta kinda disagree here Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #17

By the time they're in their 40s, keyboarding will be irrelevant. Gormy Cuss Jun 2014 #66

Plus, there's good research showing that those students SheilaT Jun 2014 #30

Printing is good enough. kentauros Jun 2014 #5

"Good enough" should not be that to which Codeine Jun 2014 #61

To me, it applies to the rest of everyday life. kentauros Jun 2014 #63

2nd graders JVS Jun 2014 #7

race to the top takes up too much classroom time, eliminating other things nt msongs Jun 2014 #8

I used to think so, but times have changed... ecstatic Jun 2014 #10

I understand your point. By why limit kids' skills? Heidi Jun 2014 #13

I say we should teach them falconry and scrimshaw. Orrex Jun 2014 #41

...and smithing. Chan790 Jun 2014 #52

Because skills-acquisition is not entirely additive. Chan790 Jun 2014 #51

Good luck, then, with a handwritten love letter or thank-you note. Heidi Jun 2014 #69

I hand-write constantly. Chan790 Jun 2014 #70

Good. Heidi Jun 2014 #72

Kids are so dumbed down these days quinnox Jun 2014 #11

I see a divide Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #19

Cursive is very outdated and should go the route of Calligraphy. dilby Jun 2014 #12

NYT: What's Lost as Handwriting Fades Heidi Jun 2014 #14

Bloomberg View: The Case Against Cursive Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #15

How many kindergarten through third-grade students are meditating, learning to use a slide rule, Heidi Jun 2014 #21

I have to ask this again MattBaggins Jun 2014 #23

What on earth are you talking about? Heidi Jun 2014 #24

thank you, Heidi Tuesday Afternoon Jun 2014 #45

They could also do pipi_k Jun 2014 #83

What the NY TIMES left out ... KateGladstone Jun 2014 #55

Yep. I can't imagine taking lecture notes with a laptop. GoCubsGo Jun 2014 #64

I can easily imagine taking notes with a keyboard. kentauros Jun 2014 #67

My handwriting sucks, too. GoCubsGo Jun 2014 #73

I touch type about 150 wpm with high accuracy. However, Heidi Jun 2014 #71

Really? TexasTowelie Jun 2014 #76

This message was self-deleted by its author Heidi Jun 2014 #77

Okay. TexasTowelie Jun 2014 #78

Not sure I have an opinion either way davidpdx Jun 2014 #16

I'd rather a child learn keyboarding than cursive Aerows Jun 2014 #18

I feel your pain. white_wolf Jun 2014 #20

I want to say to teach both and keep cursive in schools LostOne4Ever Jun 2014 #25

agreed. make time for both cursive and keyboarding Liberal_in_LA Jun 2014 #36

No morecthan 15 min a day mainstreetonce Jun 2014 #27

I still write notes in Gregg Shorthand HockeyMom Jun 2014 #28

i believe in the cruel oppression of diversified skills! NuttyFluffers Jun 2014 #29

Home Ec should be taught. It needs to be re-imagined, but it should be taught (nt) Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #43

I don't see that we need give up entirely on writing treestar Jun 2014 #31

Nobody is suggesting we stop teaching manuscript Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #37

I thought the purpose of cursive was that it was faster than printing treestar Jun 2014 #39

I am. (suggesting we end cursive-education entirely.) n/t Chan790 Jun 2014 #53

Cursive is actually a dying art. ananda Jun 2014 #32

Cursive Is An Art Form grilled onions Jun 2014 #33

When you read the Constitution, do you look for a photo in the original written form Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #40

I thought we wasted WAY TOO MUCH time practicing cursive handwriting. Quantess Jun 2014 #34

I'm still mad that we got rid of Carolingian Miniscule. Orrex Jun 2014 #35

It's interesting that someone can be "still mad that" a certain font is no longer taught..? Quantess Jun 2014 #87

It is pretty clear that the anticursive crowd are a loud minority betterdemsonly Jun 2014 #38

You are painting with a very broad brush there Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #42

I am a professor and union member and find cursive worthless. MillennialDem Jun 2014 #46

I am 33 and grew up learning cursive - I find it worthless. I type and use my computer a lot and hav MillennialDem Jun 2014 #47

No one can read anyone else's cursive anyway. Teach printing and typing NightWatcher Jun 2014 #48

"Learning" cursive was a horrible, horrible experience for me. hunter Jun 2014 #49

I've always felt that cursive should be abandoned. Chan790 Jun 2014 #50

What the promoters of cursive hope you'll never ask or learn ... KateGladstone Jun 2014 #54

I like this! hunter Jun 2014 #56

Thanks for the great information! kentauros Jun 2014 #89

Interesting! - Thanks (nt) Algernon Moncrieff Jun 2014 #92

Thank you! Quantess Jun 2014 #93

Skip print. Start with cursive or an Italianate script. Add keyboarding. politicat Jun 2014 #57

"Italianate' and defusing objections KateGladstone Jun 2014 #75

Yes, italic script. Thanks. politicat Jun 2014 #79

Cursive? Well I know hell and damn and bi... Initech Jun 2014 #58

We just don't want to make kids do anything Codeine Jun 2014 #60

Cursive is an archaic throwback to quills and fountain pens Nevernose Jun 2014 #62

There is evidence that writing things down makes you remember them better. alarimer Jun 2014 #65

Teach cursive AND keyboarding/typing. Jamastiene Jun 2014 #68

Teach both... Proper keyboarding techniques could be learned. Xyzse Jun 2014 #80

Cursive is dying out because of brain evolution. randome Jun 2014 #82

The cursive they taught in school looks and is so terrible IronLionZion Jun 2014 #84

Engineering print is the only way to go. ileus Jun 2014 #85

Who says the keyboard is here to stay Boom Sound 416 Jun 2014 #86

Teach it as part of art in grades 1 - 3. haele Jun 2014 #88

In that case, it seems like it would be better to forego cursive kentauros Jun 2014 #90

I say keep. bigwillq Jun 2014 #91