Will our kids still write letters?
- Thread starter Eeyore
- Start date
I believe the physical aspect of letter writing will be primarily electronic for our offspring.
I also believe the spirit of communication will never die regardless of the form.
I also believe the spirit of communication will never die regardless of the form.
In the not too distant future it may very well be a lost art. I have even seen people use electronic communications for wedding invitations, thank you cards for wedding gifts, and other forms of communication where conventional standards of "manners" have dictated a hand-written response.
Having said that, the death throes may take some time. I expect it will die ~ 2160.
Having said that, the death throes may take some time. I expect it will die ~ 2160.
I think the "romance" of the handwritten personal letter will keep it alive, as a curiosity.
It's already basically "dead" as a standard form of communication ... the telephone did that more than, and before, the internet. Old habits die hard, though, and people still write letters to each other occasionally.
It's already basically "dead" as a standard form of communication ... the telephone did that more than, and before, the internet. Old habits die hard, though, and people still write letters to each other occasionally.
Im 19 and planning on sending some letters out to some friends at other colleges, but I do I might be the small minority in this. I also now have sealing wax so I make it a fun project that I know my friends will love 
- Thread starter
- #6
A thank you note would be a good chance to use the wax and stamp, unless grandmother prefers email. I think handwriting will always be around as sort of a novelty form of communication/entertainment, especially as long as FPAD and B&B exist. I only write letters because it's fun, after all. That, and I know folks like getting them (or at least seem to).
-Andy
A few months ago my 22 y/o nephew told me he was writing letters to his girlfriend. I promptly gave him a nice Eversharp Symphony. There's hope. We won't ever again be a majority, but a strong enthusiast community is a significant accomplishment in this age of social media.
- Thread starter
- #9
I already see handwriting going down. My nephews and even my youngest brother and his friends have atrocious hand writing. Even in school they just type up and print out reports and homework. What are these kids going to do when they need to sign a contract or a paycheck if they cannot even sign their own names?
I think there will be the enthusiasts and the romantics that will write letters and notes. I am sure there are still writers that use analog methods. Society is changing to this instant everything mentality. These kids think phone calls take too long so could you imagine what they would think if they had to write a letter? I remember in school they had us write letters to pen pals and that kind of thing I doubt they do that anymore.
I think there will be the enthusiasts and the romantics that will write letters and notes. I am sure there are still writers that use analog methods. Society is changing to this instant everything mentality. These kids think phone calls take too long so could you imagine what they would think if they had to write a letter? I remember in school they had us write letters to pen pals and that kind of thing I doubt they do that anymore.
I think they will if we encourage that behavior.
And it can start from a young age. Writing letters to Santa. Writing letters to relatives. Finding a pen pal and exchanging letters.
And it can start from a young age. Writing letters to Santa. Writing letters to relatives. Finding a pen pal and exchanging letters.
Letter writing is a going to be a lost art. My kids (now young adults) don't write letters. My wife and I email and call except for sending hand written Christmas Cards. I remember having a pen pal in Italy when I was in grade school. It was so exciting checking the mail for a letter.
I too, am afraid that letter writing will soon be a lost art. I still write letters but I'm an old guy and it is almost expected. I get almost all my bills electronically now and email and SMS seems to be the preferred way to communicate among most people. Even phone calls are getting rare. It may have to do with the sort of 'instant gratification' that we seem to insist upon. SIRI even eliminates the need to actually use the keyboard in most cases.
That being said, last week my wife received a nice hand written thank you note from her goddaughter thanking her for a wedding gift. I'm not sure our surprise was a good thing or a bad thing.
That being said, last week my wife received a nice hand written thank you note from her goddaughter thanking her for a wedding gift. I'm not sure our surprise was a good thing or a bad thing.
Our school district is not teaching cursive.
No answers. More questions, perhaps.
Will the concept of "letter delivery" die out, so that somebody in 2088 who does want to send an "old fashioned letter" will just hand it over to UPS as a very small package?
How many generations before people no longer write on paper at all, not even to take quick notes?
You pass along the things you think are important to the next generation, and they will do the same, but some things do get lost.
Will the concept of "letter delivery" die out, so that somebody in 2088 who does want to send an "old fashioned letter" will just hand it over to UPS as a very small package?
How many generations before people no longer write on paper at all, not even to take quick notes?
You pass along the things you think are important to the next generation, and they will do the same, but some things do get lost.
One EMP blast and everyone will know how to write again
One EMP blast and everyone will know how to write again
I had an English teacher who made each of us memorize a Classic Poem in its' entirety so it would be preserved in case all hard copies were lost in some sort of apocalypse. Your post reminded me of that. I still remember mine.
It will die out in terms of mass usage(it already practically has) but I'm sure some eccentrics will continue to use it for a long time. There's something inherently personal about it. I'm trying to convert my four year old niece to letter writing, and the two of us(with her mom's help) have started sending letters to each other. I always try to include a fun wax seal on the envelope. So far she seems to be enjoying it.
