Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleScottish author Douglas Stuart has expressed concern over declining adult literacy rates, suggesting men have decided fiction "isn't for them". Stuart, known for his novels exploring masculinity and class, fears that a prolonged decline in reading will lead to societal issues, including a lack of empathy among those in power. Recent studies support these concerns, revealing that half of UK adults no longer read regularly, and 15 per cent have never read for pleasure. The issue is attributed to factors such as decreasing attention spans due to social media and individuals having less time for reading in their busy schedules. Children's laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce also highlighted that nearly 50 per cent of children arrive at school without having been read to, potentially starting their education at a disadvantage. In fullBooker-winning author warns of long-term effects of men who’ve decided ‘fiction isn’t for them’Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Popular author issues warning over declining reading rates in men
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleScottish author Douglas Stuart has expressed concern over declining adult literacy rates, suggesting men have decided fiction "isn't for them". Stuart, known for his novels exploring masculinity and class, fears that a prolonged decline in reading will lead to societal issues, including a lack of empathy among those in power. Recent studies support these concerns, revealing that half of UK adults no longer read regularly, and 15 per cent have never read for pleasure. The issue is attributed to factors such as decreasing attention spans due to social media and individuals having less time for reading in their busy schedules. Children's laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce also highlighted that nearly 50 per cent of children arrive at school without having been read to, potentially starting their education at a disadvantage. In fullBooker-winning author warns of long-term effects of men who’ve decided ‘fiction isn’t for them’Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
