Cortes 1
Michelle Cortes
Professor Jean Shloeman
ENG 101
26 November 2014
Effects of Illiteracy on the Individual and Society as a Whole
According to the Class of 2025 article, statistically, 30% of the over four million five and
six-year olds who are beginning kindergarten will not graduate in 2025. (White) Illiteracy is such
a large problem in the United States today, as well as all over the world. It not effects the
illiterate people individually, but also their surrounding environment and societies. One must
take into account the job opportunities, economy, health industry, educational programs/ schools,
and many other aspects. Some more specific ways that illiteracy effects people us through the
prison system, health system, the upcoming generation, and the value of people lives.
The prison system in the United States takes in a very large amount of criminals per year,
and costs the government more money than it should. There are many different things to think
about when looking at the prison system, but one is recidivism. “Recidivism is the tendency of a
convicted criminal to relapse into a habit of criminal activity or behavior.” (Music) This means
that after a criminal serves his first sentence, there is a chance they can end up back in the system
for another charge of the same or different activity. Unfortunately, the chance of them returning
to the system is very high. However, there are ways to lower the numbers. According to the
article Teaching Literacy in Order to Turn the Page on Recidivism, decreasing illiteracy rates
among the juvenile delinquents is the key to reducing recidivism rates in the United States.
(Music) By putting together programs for criminals to learn to read and write, it gives them
something to look forward to when they get out of prison and rejoin the world that is flourishing.
Cortes 2
Unfortunately, finding a job while being illiterate can be very difficult, not to mention they
already have their criminal record to worry about. Being able to properly communicate with
those around them can also allow them to make more personal connections, giving them yet
another reason to do good and stay out of trouble. Yet, if they remain illiterate it can be difficult
to build a life from not scratch. This not only affects the convicted individually, but the society
as well. “Moreover, these potential scholars could likely fall back into the trap of recidivism that
will not only affect their livelihoods, but also the livelihood of our society.” (Music) By not
allowing themselves to end up back in the system these people could positively affect the society
by working, and adding to the overall growth of our world. But if they end up back in the system,
it is another person that the government must pay for through the taxes that we pay them.
Another way that illiteracy affects society is through the health system. The Health
