Functional illiteracy is the inability to read, write, and understand information in everyday life It is a form of illiteracy that falls below the accepted standards of reading and writing. Individuals who are classified as functionally illiterate are often able to read simple words and sentences, however, their lack of understanding of the material and words causes them to struggle in everyday tasks. This can be a result of educational gaps or lack of basic skill development.
Functional illiteracy can pose a problem in everyday life. Here are five examples:
1. Not Being Able to Understand Medical Information: People who have low literacy levels have difficulty understanding medical information related to their health. This can lead to misdiagnosis, overmedication, and other problems related to lack of proper care.
2. Not Being Able to Understand Job Requirements: Poor literacy levels can prevent individuals from being able to understand the job requirements for a position and thus, not being able to effectively apply for the job.
3. Not Being Able to Read for Pleasure: Those who are functionally illiterate often find it difficult to read for pleasure and are, therefore, unable to enjoy the benefits of things like books, magazines, and other reading materials.
4. Not Being Able to Effectively Communicate: Having difficulty reading and writing can cause people to be unable to effectively communicate with those around them. This can lead to social isolation, difficulty forming relationships, and lack of personal growth.
5. Not Being Able to Interpret Text: Poor literacy levels can prevent people from being able to understand written text, leading to confusion and difficulty in tasks that require interpretation.
These are all examples of how functional illiteracy can be a problem in everyday life. People who struggle with low literacy levels need support systems in order to ensure they can be successful and integrated in society. Allowing access to educational opportunities, offering support in the workplace, and providing resources that promote better literacy skills are all steps that can be taken to address this issue.