[SolRaven]

Originally Posted by ficbot

I vividly recall the fourth grade penpal project we did. We were paired with a class of kids in Iowa, and I remember the teacher explaining how they were all going to have much nicer cursive than we did because they weren't killing half the day on Hebrew and so had time to learn to write it properly

Exactly. Children born in 2006 need different skill sets than children born in 1966, just as children born in 1966 needed different skills than children born in 1926. In 1926 a girl would be taught homemaker skill such as how to sew a dress, darn socks, or bake a cake. I don’t know anyone that sews their own clothes, bothers darning socks, or prefers baking cakes over picking one up from the bakery. Teaching should to be relevant to the times.

Originally Posted by Ervserver

My gf recently filled out a job app that required it be written in cursive

I would suspect most employers would prefer a resume, which is typed. Where I was tending bar, the new owner didn’t have applications because if someone came in looking for a job and didn’t have a resume, he wouldn’t hire them. Ironically, I think it was my resume that had me hired before the manager met me. One of my coworkers later said that it was the best resume she had ever seen and asked me to help her re-do hers. Typing looks more professional than printing or writing in cursive, IMHO.

Originally Posted by wyndslash

…but mostly i do just use print even when writing letters. i love snail mail

I used to love buying new stationary and loved writing letters to my friends and family that lived far away. Now I send emails and/or call on the phone. Back then I didn’t have much of a choice since long distance calls were so expensive and now it’s included.

Originally Posted by jkeene

There's a place for cursive in today's schools, certainly. But as an art elective, not something required for all.

I agree. Years ago our ancestors were having this same argument about learning Old English and calligraphy. Somehow we have managed quite nicely not having learned either.

Originally Posted by wodin

When I was in grammar school in the 50s we called it "penmanship", and it was required. We weren't offered typing until high school, and then it was an elective. Ironically, today, I write probably 100 times more with a keyboard than I do with a pen.

Back then, keyboarding was an elective. Changing times require changing priorities.