Bacchus MindEconomy Chronicle

Oh, the hours I spent as a child curled up with a classic Jane Austen novel, where the intricate social dynamics of Regency England came alive, or the relative lifetimes I spent in the magical world of Harry Potter, where spells and enchantments whisked me away on fantastical adventures. Though vastly different in setting and style, these beloved books share a common thread: the profound impact they had on my mind and life. Reading, whether it’s the witty prose of Austen or the captivating tales of Hogwarts, offered far more than mere entertainment. It enriched my cognitive abilities, nurtured my emotional well-being, and continues to provide invaluable mental health benefits.

“Literacy is not a luxury; it is a right and a responsibility. If our world is to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century, we must harness the energy and creativity of all our citizens.”

Bill Clinton, 1994

It is important at this point to distinguish the difference between the act of reading and that of basic literacy. First and foremost, reading and basic literacy differ in depth and complexity. Reading is the ability to decode written or printed text and comprehend its meaning. It includes phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Advanced reading skills can involve critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis of information. On the other hand, basic literacy is the ability to read and write at a level sufficient for everyday tasks and communication. It encompasses the foundational skills of recognising letters, understanding basic vocabulary, writing simple sentences, and comprehending straightforward texts. In essence, reading is a broader and more complex activity that builds upon the foundational skills of basic literacy, allowing for deeper comprehension and engagement with texts.

Reading, unlike talking, isn’t an instinctive skill activated simply by observing others. It must be learned. Everything we do relies on a pre-existing brain “platform,” and for reading, this platform is associated with object recognition—identifying predators, prey, and food items, for example. Engaging in reading actually enhances intelligence by increasing neurological activity and creating extensive, deep connections in the brain. Studies suggest that the most beneficial thing you can do for your child’s future success is to have books at home.

I was lucky to grow up in a household with a mother who loved to read herself. She spent countless hours curled up on the couch with me as a child, teaching me how to understand the words that looped together the stories I held in my hands. My mother was also incredibly smart and a clever delegator to boot. When she realised that her eldest child would rather kick a book down a rugby pitch sooner than read it, she knew she would need to develop his reading ability in a slightly more subtle, sly way. Also, as most busy mothers would understand, she needed to save time where she could- so she decided to delegate. Whilst her elder son was developing a nontheist approach to reading, he loved to spend time with his baby sister. So, in one quick masterstroke, a new daily routine was implemented- every evening when my big brother tucked me in bed, he would read a few pages aloud to me (often either from our childhood bible or the latest Harry Potter- an interesting juxtaposition I admit) before saying goodnight. Not only did it boost his literacy development by turning what was a school chore into something fun for him, but it also continued to boost my love of the written word.

Growing up, it was my favourite time of the day. Now in our 30s, our continued, mutual (and slightly unhealthy love) of all things Harry Potter remains key in the bonding between our considerably different personalities. Admittedly, unless it’s a cookbook, my brother is still more likely to lob a book down a rugby pitch than caress its pages

Regardless of any given child’s (or adult’s, for that matter) attitude towards reading, it is unquestionably a fundamental skill that enhances individual knowledge and creativity and plays a crucial role in psychological development and economic advancement. On a psychological level, reading stimulates cognitive functions, improves empathy, and reduces stress. Economically, literacy is a powerful tool for personal and societal growth, driving innovation, productivity, and economic stability.

Considering the more multifaceted psychological and cognitive elements around reading, it chiefly enhances brain function by stimulating mental processes, strengthening brain connectivity, and engaging areas responsible for comprehension, critical thinking, and imagination. Regular reading expands vocabulary, improves language proficiency, and enhances memory retention and recall. Analytical thinking skills are also developed, especially through genres like mystery or detective novels that encourage problem-solving. Psychologically, reading can reduce stress by providing a relaxing escape from reality. It increases empathy by allowing readers to experience different perspectives and emotions. Additionally, reading improves focus and concentration, particularly in our distraction-filled digital age. Mental stimulation from reading complex texts and new ideas keeps the brain active, potentially delaying cognitive decline and conditions like dementia.

Emotionally, reading offers therapeutic benefits by allowing readers to explore different emotions and situations, often providing comfort and escapism. Socially, it can enhance connections through shared books and literary discussions. Health-wise, reading before bed can improve sleep quality by signalling to the body to wind down. It can also reduce symptoms of depression through bibliotherapy and build cognitive reserve, which helps maintain cognitive functioning in old age. In simple terms, reading nurtures cognitive abilities, fosters empathy, reduces stress, and offers various health benefits, making it an essential activity for a balanced and healthy life.

Bibliotherapy is a term increasingly referenced in modern discourse around the psychological benefits of reading. According to Psychology Today, bibliotherapy is “the therapeutic approach employing books and other forms of literature, typically alongside more traditional therapy modalities, to support a patient’s mental health.” Therapists have found that reading a book, particularly a novel, can help diminish negative emotions, encourage positive ones, and heighten an individual’s self-worth and self-esteem. Although many believe bibliotherapy to be a relatively new form of treatment, it first surfaced in the post-World War II years when the mental health of the baby boomer generation emerged as a major concern. As schools and classrooms expanded, reading was increasingly viewed within the context of a child’s personality development. In 1948, David H. Russell (a leading educational psychologist in the first half of the 20^th Century) famously observed, “The modern teacher does not ask herself, ‘What is Johnny doing in reading?’ as often as she inquires, ‘What is reading doing to Johnny?’” Most recently, neuroscience has shown that the ability of reading to function as a healing agent appears to be based on brain chemistry. I am certainly no neuroscientist, but I do not doubt that an MRI scan would show that the pleasure areas of my brain light up like a Christmas tree when voyaging through my latest favourite novel.

Reading offers significant economic benefits both on an individual and societal level. For individuals, enhanced employability is one key benefit, as strong reading and literacy skills improve one’s ability to understand complex information, instructions, and documentation required for many jobs. This, in turn, can lead to higher earnings, as those with better literacy skills often have access to higher-paying jobs and career advancement opportunities. Reading also increases productivity by enhancing cognitive skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, making individuals more efficient in their work and potentially leading to salary increases. Additionally, reading fosters lifelong learning and self-improvement, enabling individuals to adapt to changing job markets and technological advancements.

On a societal level, a literate population is crucial for economic growth, as higher literacy rates correlate with increased economic productivity, innovation, and global competitiveness. Improved literacy skills can reduce unemployment rates by equipping individuals to find and retain jobs. Furthermore, a literate workforce is essential for developing a skilled labour force, attracting businesses and investments, and contributing to economic growth. Literacy also promotes social stability by reducing poverty and inequality, with educated individuals more likely to participate in civic activities and make informed decisions, leading to a more stable and prosperous society. These benefits underscore the importance of promoting literacy and reading at all levels of society.

Sustainable development is largely unattainable in a country without fostering a culture of reading across society. Societies that do not embrace reading are destined to remain trapped in underdevelopment. Unfortunately, policymakers in many African and developing nations often overlook this crucial fact. This rings particularly true for South Africa. According to the World Literacy Foundation, illiteracy costs the country’s economy R119.03 billion, as approximately 3 million people struggle with reading, writing, and basic math. The non-profit organisation’s 2023 Economic Cost and Social Impact of Illiteracy report highlighted the financial burden and social consequences of 4.7% of South Africans having low-level literacy skills. Worryingly, those statistics simply cover basic literacy, let alone the complex process of reading, as defined previously. According to the 2030 Reading Panel report (a leading international literacy study), eight out of 10 Grade 4 South Africans struggle to comprehend what they read in any language. South Africa’s score was the lowest of all participating nations, according to the 2021 study, which incorporated reading comprehension assessments of around 400,000 pupils. Of particular concern is South Africa’s declining score relative to our score in the previous study in 2016. The percentage of South African Grade 4 pupils who cannot read properly has increased from 78% to 81%. It is the first time South Africa has suffered a literacy reverse since 2006, when it first formed part of the study. As such, the reading crisis in South Africa worsened after the COVID-19 pandemic, with only an estimated 18% of grade four learners able to read for meaning. Clearly, South Africa still has a long way to go to achieve literacy levels comparable to other developing countries with similar GDP per capita, such as Brazil. In the latest study, Brazil’s Grade 4 pupils scored an average of 419, while South Africa’s pupils averaged only 288.

Achieving this kind of societal change in a complex, multi-faceted society, such as that in South Africa, will be incredibly difficult. Whilst high levels of illiteracy naturally undermine reading, many South Africans who are literate do not engage in regular reading. This issue is particularly pronounced in Black communities, where reading is often limited to essential tasks. Leaders across various sectors, from politics to religion, also do not appear to read widely, and when they do, their reading is often very narrow. This lack of reading among South Africa’s governing elite has led to a poverty of ideas, imagination, and policy, which is evident in the country’s shallow public debates, decisions, and strategies. Unfortunately, reading is not widely regarded as a societal good in South Africa, and a social stigma is attached to those who do read, both adults and children. To foster a nationwide culture of reading, this stigma must be addressed.

Ironically, during community protests against inadequate public service delivery, protesters often set libraries on fire. Even during the memorable “Fees Must Fall” student protest movement in South Africa (from c. 2015-2016), which called for free access to education, campus libraries were frequently destroyed – as I witnessed myself during my own time as a university student during that period. This demonstrates the extent to which books and reading are not seen as central to individual, community, and national development. Unfortunately, South Africa’s lack of a reading culture has stunted individual and national development. South Africa needs a civil society movement for reading, uniting volunteers, organisations, businesses, and the government in a national campaign to promote reading.

On a personal basis, I have loved reading for as long as I can remember, and since my early adventures with the lovely Mr Darcy and the magical world of Hogwarts, my literacy world has continued to expand. Those early adventures and particular series of novels, however, formed the foundation for my love of the written word.

So, to Ms Austen, JK Rowling, my ever-loving and patient mother, big brother (and countless others), who instilled in me the beauty of the written word, I say thank you.

Thank you for the timeless magic that is reading.

To end, an excerpt from the Reading Mother by Strickland Gillian:

“You may have tangible wealth untold;

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be –

I had a Mother who read to me.”