Illiteracy has traditionally been viewed as largely a third world problem. However it is becoming apparent that in countries such as the USA and Australia, illiteracy is on the increase.

It is true that

illiteracy

is becoming a serious

problem

in industrialised nations.

This

is surprising as most people think that

this

is a

problem

only in under-developed nations

such

as in parts of Africa and India.

Illiteracy

is related to many other problems

such

as poverty, over-population and governmental corruption. Let us take a more detailed look at the causes of

this

growing

problem

in many Western nations. One of the most obvious reasons for the increase in

illiteracy

is the advent of television. Children no longer have to read to obtain information. Neither do they have to read to relax. Today children get home from school and go straight to “the box” to watch their

favorite

something regarded with special favor or liking

favourite

program. Watching television is much easier and more exciting than reading. Another reason for the increase in

illiteracy

is the fact that so many women work.

This

means that children are often alone at home and so they are unsupervised. When parents get

home they

Accept comma addition

home, they

are often too tired to spend quality time

whit

expresses the means used

with

their children. It is

also

true that many people blame

schools

Suggestion

the schools

for the decline in

illiteracy

. In many

countries there

Accept comma addition

countries, there

has been a move away from teaching basic skills

such

as reading and writing. There are many effects of

this

growing

illiteracy

rate. The most obvious is unemployment.

This

may in turn lead to alcohol and drug abuse. Ultimately the economy of the country begins to suffer and there is a drop in living standards. To address

this

problem

, parents need to become more aware of their responsibilities and schools need to consider a change in their teaching methods. If

this

worsening trend is not reversed, the

problem

of

illiteracy

will become very serious.