While the United States is one of the world's richest countries, it is not even in the top 20 when it comes to adult literacy rankings. Approximately 11 million adults are not literate in English and seven million cannot answer simple literacy test questions.

If you know an adult who cannot read or write, you should encourage them to enroll in an adult education program. Many organizations offer free or low-cost adult education classes for those who are functionally illiterate. You may be surprised at how severe illiteracy can affect someone's life. If you need some help convincing a loved one to take adult education classes, the following facts about literacy may help to persuade them to sign up for an adult education program.

Illiteracy and Poor Health Are Related

Adults with poor literacy skills will have trouble understanding basic health information. Parents who cannot read medical warnings on labels or follow written orders from healthcare providers are at risk for making poor health decisions for themselves and their children. They will also be unable to write down medical instructions from healthcare providers to give to other members of their family.

Furthermore, women who cannot read are more likely to make mistakes in basic care of their children and are less inclined to take advantage of prenatal care and birth assistance. As a result, infant mortality rates are higher among children with mothers who cannot read. A simple thing, such as learning to read, can actually save the lives of children. Poor nutrition and a lack of awareness of how germs lead to disease are also problems that can be alleviated by teaching parents how to read.

Children of Parents With Low Literacy Skills Suffer in School

Helping kids with homework is a basic parenting task. However, when parents are illiterate, children are left to fend for themselves with assignments.

Reading to children, even when they are infants and toddlers, has a significant impact on cognitive development. Experts recommend that parents read aloud to their children every day. In fact, helping a child appreciate reading is the most important thing a parent can do to help a youngster succeed in school according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Consequently, if a parent lacks reading skills, the child will be at a severe disadvantage when they enter school because they have not learned to appreciate reading and probably lack basic skills for their age group. Furthermore, if the child has a reading disability, an illiterate parent will not be equipped to recognize the problem.

When you present these facts to a parent that cannot read, they may be more inclined to invest in their intellectual development by taking an adult reading class.

People Who Suffer From Poverty and Unemployment Have Lower Literacy Rates

By failing to learn how to read, adults will face a lifetime of economic and employment challenges. Those who lack a high school diploma and are functionally illiterate earn less than their peers who graduate from high school and college.

Many employers are also requiring that employees have basic reading, writing, and math skills according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This means that even applicants for low-wage jobs will need to be functionally literate.

In addition, when an adult cannot read or write, they will be more likely to be unemployed and rely on government food and housing assistance. In addition, if they have spent time behind bars, they will be less likely to return to prison if they learned how to read and write while incarcerated.

Overall, when you encourage someone to enroll in a literacy program at an adult education center, you are not only helping them to gain tools to improve their life for the long term, but also the lives of their children.