A viral TikTok video has shed light on the troubling state of literacy in America. It features high school students struggling to read a straightforward sentence: “She was wearing clothes with an unusual but somewhat gorgeous silhouette.”
Allie Beth Stuckey, a host on Blaze TV, suggests that this issue stems not just from how reading and writing are taught in schools but also from a significant drop in the number of books parents read to their children. Research from HarperCollins Publishers points to this decline.
According to their findings, by 2025, only 41% of children aged 0 to 4 will be read to daily—a decrease of 9% since 2019. Furthermore, just 55% of kids in the 0 to 5 age group will receive read-aloud sessions at least five times a week.
“Many parents feel overwhelmed and distracted. It’s not about the kids being undisciplined per se. The issue often lies in misplaced priorities and a general lack of discipline,” she remarked.
Stuckey argues that when parents lack the time or motivation to read to their kids, it can lead to lifelong challenges for those children.
This literacy challenge is critical because, as she puts it, “comprehending language is essential for understanding the world.”
“If you don’t grasp the language, it becomes tough to be a diligent student, an informed voter, or an engaged citizen,” she stated.
But the implications of the literacy issue extend beyond individual educational challenges.
“Unlike Buddhism, Christianity doesn’t prioritize silence or emptying the mind. It’s a faith deeply rooted in words,” Stuckey elaborated, noting its historical significance.
“God used language to create the universe and communicate with pivotal figures like Noah and Moses,” she added.
This connection to language has made Christians some of the best communicators throughout history, Stuckey suggests.
“In the past, Christians have led in academia, but over time, that space has been yielded to more liberal and secular voices. I believe we now have a chance to reclaim that influence, especially considering the current predicament,” she emphasized.
“Some schools aren’t teaching effective reading and writing skills. It’s alarming to think that individuals can graduate and yet possess only high school-level literacy, yet find jobs in essential fields. Here in the U.S., we seem hesitant about implementing objective standards—standards of excellence. It’s worth questioning who this affects,” she continued, emphasizing, “Ultimately, we all face the consequences of this situation.”
