Headlines continue to bombard us with all kinds of calamitous events lately. It is becoming hard to read, with way too much at one time for me to fully process: the Middle East is a growing powder keg, earthquakes and planes crashing in Japan, new COVID-19 and flu outbreaks spreading, and Trump being prosecuted in multiple courtrooms. Okay, so maybe it’s not all so calamitous.
One story in particular, however, did send more than a few recollective shivers down my spine: A new requirement involving the resumption of cursive writing for all young school children. By an act of legislative fiat, the state assembly of California passed a bill into law late last year requiring cursive instruction offered to first through sixth graders.
California Assembly Member Sharon Quirk-Silva, who introduced the bill, proclaims that “Research has shown cursive handwriting enhances a child’s brain development including memorization and improves fine motor skills.” Ms. Quirk-Silva is herself a former teacher so she brings to her effort some practical knowledge and experience.
I have practical experience with cursive writing too. I’m an absolute failure at it.
I keep locked memories of some of Ms. Quirk-Silva’s predecessor peers, who decades ago also tried their hand in teaching me the fine art of cursive. Their efforts, some of which I recall involved a bit of brow-beating and an implied threat of a ruler swat, were sadly never rewarded (this not being parochial schooling, the restraint from physical discipline came not from a lack of desire but rather the oversight of an elected school board). My cursive attempts resembled more a Jackson Pollock painting and less that of actual written prose.
I remain to this day someone whose use of cursive is limited to signing legal documents or endorsing a check. At some point during my post-elementary education path, I transitioned from the mandated cursive to the more amiable printing. Could I write a letter or note in cursive right now? Yes. Will I? Absolutely not. My dodge is not from stubbornness nor revenge but merely surrender.
My failure might be genetic. A sample of my father’s scrawl below shows that he too struggled to write legibly, although in his case he always had a bit of a puckish attitude about the inadequacy. I remember him howling with delight when a local celebrity responded to a letter Dad had written to him with a p.s. at the end that said, “By the way, your handwriting is terrible!”
When I was gifted my first typewriter, I immediately saw uses for it other than term papers or resumes. It was a way around my own awful penmanship. The later advent of word processing and email only reinforced what developed into a writing crutch for me. Except for Post-It Notes messages, no one would ever struggle to read my scribble ever again. There was no going back; I was saved in my own version of salvation. Having a working printer was equivalent in my mind to receiving the eucharist or being called to the torah, take your pick.
Of course, I’ve also long felt the hot heat of judgement from those Emily Post and Judith Martin aficionados out there for not writing in long hand. But quite frankly I didn’t — and still don’t — give a damn. In the last few years, I’ve even conjured up some fancy workarounds for thank you notes and occasional birthday messages: I’ll type up some thoughtful words using a unique font (Body in Pages is a favorite) and I’ll then carefully tape or glue it to a card. A sister of mine was so impressed after receiving my message for her 70th birthday last year that she quickly followed up to ask how I did it. Put that in your etiquette pipe and smoke it, Miss Manners.
Yet, I nevertheless see those smug, cursive traditionalists out there. I’m only too aware of your presence, you with your clean and disciplined handwriting vogue. Am I jealous? Absolutely. Your dispatches have a warmth and character that highlights individuality and creativity, and by contrast my dependency on a computer font can’t begin to match it. When I receive a beautifully handwritten card, it makes me feel that the friendship and association is worth the time you spent in composing meaningful for me. As swagger goes, it’s indeed a classy pose.
In fact, I live with such a stylist. Gorgeous is a cursive devotee who rarely if ever writes in print. A sneak peek at her desk for for this post rewarded me with a list that she’s prepared for upcoming baking adventures.
Ultimately, my sympathies go to the elementary age children in California, most of whom I bet will end up hating this curriculum change. At the same time, I also acknowledge Assembly Member Quirk-Silva’s desire to improve both cognitive and hand/eye motor skills. While some students may indeed benefit from this, I can only think of that little boy or girl who will see the exercise as pointless, like having to rinse dishes before loading into the dishwasher or some other redundant obligation (writing a thank you note perhaps?).
As for me, I’m afraid I’m sticking with the habits that have served me best. They’ll have to pry away that keyboard from my cold, dead hands.
Snakes in the Grass 
If she doesn’t already, tell Gorgeous that Ina Garten has a great rugelach recipe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll tell her, Alisa, thanks!
LikeLike
…use it already…
LikeLike
Ina Garten’s rugalach is the best. Now for you. I had nuns. Oy vay! We did Palmer Penmanship and until I got old and lost some of my fine motor skills, I did a really nice letter. I have a dear friend (who also had nuns but they weren’t as successful with her) writes in printed letters that defy understanding. I would love if she would send me a typed message but alas, she is of the school that believes written notes are the best. They are only the best if you can read the damn things! Offering it in school isn’t bad as long as the grade doesn’t stop people from getting into colleges. It’s just not that important.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have a friend who reads this blog that attended Catholic school, so that ruler part was a shoutout to him. And apparently now you too, Kare! I have a few people in my life like your friend who insist on writing because they feel it’s the correct way. But you’re right — one has to be able to read it! 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting. I’d heard there was a connection between hand writing and the brain, but not specifically cursive. Not sure I buy into it as I know many smart, highly developed people with horrible cursive skills. What I DO wish they would teach in school is math….the kind of math required to count out change from a $20. It’s a problem with young people these days, at least the ones that work in the groceries around here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’m thinking too about all the brainy doctors who forever couldn’t write out a prescription legibly (computers ended up solving that too). Ah, yes, cashiers and math. They’re depending on everyone paying electronically now. Oops!
LikeLike
Twelve years of Catholic school and one year of business school = 13 years of cursive school writing. 🙂 Thank you for several laugh out loud moments in reading this post. I can write cursive neatly and do, but also type faster so do way more of that. I did receive a letter from a high school friend last year that was written entirely in her beautiful cursive writing. It was a piece of art. I tried to respond, but had to use Wite Out so much I pitched the paper and went to the laptop. Yes, I keep it in my desk. Yes, that could probably be an entire post of its own. 🙂 I think your keyboard work around sounds perfect! Go, Marty, and it’s good to hear from you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It could be an entire post! I keep Wite Out in my desk also. It must get used twice a year MAYBE. And then I’ll replace it when it dries up, which it invariably does. 😆. An old college friend writes beautifully; her annual holiday letters are individually done. I commend her truly, but I’m sticking to my keyboard!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can totally relate to not being able to write legible cursive. My printing is fine, though. I read about this law and was astonished. Do the teachers even know how to teach it anymore?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s sort of the unspoken isn’t it, Eilene? When I started reading about this requirement, I thought about all those Gen-X and beyond teachers who are going to probably have to be trained themselves. It’s probably going to be a messy few years as they roll out the curriculum.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I print but not because my cursive is bad. It is boring-looking. I’m a bit surprised that sort of bill got passed in California.
I do have to disagree about thank-you notes, though. I am sad that they seem to be a dying art.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was being ironic about the thank you notes, trying to speak for bored teenagers, but it unfortunately didn’t land (like much of my humor! 😀).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m probably the one without the sense of humor here… two major gifts given this past summer – one for a graduation and one for a wedding – have yet to be acknowledged.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ugh, I can definitely appreciate how you feel. There’s a missing chromosome in some people about that.
LikeLike
I’m not a fan of cursive because it means everyone ends up with the same writing, and I love seeing the variety. They did value good handwriting in my convent school, and I worked hard on making mine legible and neat otherwise I got marked down. Since learning to type, my handwriting has become truly dreadful. As I can now – largely – keep up with my thoughts on a keyboard, I type when the option is available. I *can* write nicely – I’ve been asked to write name cards for weddings for example, but I tire quickly. One skill I have after my early years in a typing pool is that I can decipher most handwriting – sometimes better than the writer themselves 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Typing pools! A definite lost artifact for sure, Debs. 😀. I’ve always been amazed by those who can do fancy writing for events, such as calligraphy. I can only imagine how tiring it must be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one, Marty! I’m afraid those credit card readers that require signatures (like your parting graphic) kindof make the case for not getting back to the ‘basics’ of cursive – horribly illegible through no fault of the person signing’s own. But I do like my own brand of cursive as it’s reflects me – ahem, remember handwriting analysis as a means to understand our deeper selves????
Later, bud.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I hadn’t thought about those ridiculous readers and their “signing” protocols, Laura. You’re absolutely right about that, and I suppose it could be an entire post all on its own. I literally draw one single pasta noodle and no one says anything! 😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
The fine art of cursive! I remember learning to write using a Zaner Bloser pen that was this weirdly shaped ink pen that was supposed to make our writing better, at the proper slant. It had a pointy end that pretty much called to kids telling them to poke each other with it. Of course, I did eventually learn how to write cursive with a normal pen and still do so, kind of, with a mix of printing letters included. My own Ally Bean font as it were.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think I recall that pen, Ally. There were some that came close to being lethal. For a time, I had a hybrid of cursive and printing too. Probably in junior high when I was still adhering to the maxims and conventions of whatever had been forced on me by elementary school teachers. When I saw no one was forcing any particular writing mandate, I gave up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m familiar with the hybrid method! My last name has a capital G in it, and I never thought it made sense in cursive, nor did r, s, f, or z.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That really resonates. I HAVE to print rather than use cursive, and even then, I have to concentrate on slowing down so the letters will be recognizable.
This reminds me of the one time notion that writing using pen and paper might stimulate creativity as opposed to using the keyboard. “Write like Poe,” they said, “Or Dickens!’ My problem with that is by the time I can get to the end of a sentence, writing with pen and paper, I’ve forgotten the beginning. Not to mention that no one, including myself, will ever know what I said.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can definitely relate, Roy. There is just no way I can turn back the clock on whatever I was once taught. I mean, I suppose I could if I took a course or something. But that would mean I’m not taking a course in bartending or a comparative study of Yes vs. Pink Floyd, which to me are far more interesting topics. I say keep those Poe and Dickens dreams alive using the keyboard!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Imagine how lengthy Dickens’ sentences would have been if he used a keyboard.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Witty title, Marty, for your post! Fascinating information about cursive writing. I am not sure what is presently happening around here and I will ask my daughters (Mom’s of the grandchildren). Thoughtful words and taping to a card is a creative idea…always the thought that counts. Maybe TMI here, yet another thing I inherited from my Dad is essential tremor…unless medicated, cursive, photography that is not blurry, eating soup, the hyped up “morning pages” from a popular writing book, is all a major challenge…’studies’ may fit a general population…many individuals with individual differences in these studies as you point out. We will watch it all play out. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah those damn genetics toying with you, eh Erica? Good that you’re self-aware and fighting back, though. My mother. bless her, never wanted to acknowledge her own muscular issues and so she merely ignored everything. That wasn’t the correct response! But at least others have at least an excuse for bad penmanship. I’m just, ‘er, sloppy! 😩
LikeLiked by 1 person
I happen to be a cursive writer although when I look at your example at the top, I’ve altered the way I write some of the letters. But overall, I’m cursive all the way. I’ve had to resort to printing for the grandkids, however, as they can’t always read it. And not because it’s unreadable!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
But you’re trying, which is more than I can claim! 😃
LikeLike
I have been told that my cursive handwriting is beautiful. My printing? I DESPISE having to print and it sucks!
My daddy had really nice hand-writing…especially for a man. Mama’s was so-so. I just remember that she always signed her name “Mrs.”
My ex? Whether it was cursive or printing, it was like…”what the hell is this chicken scratching and how in the world am I supposed to understand what you’re saying?” LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m more like your ex, Laurel. Chicken scratch! 😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know how I finally found a way to comment. That damned Jetpack thing doesn’t make a lick of sense to me and I cannot figure it out.
Nothing new here…except that I broke my back…again. Eight verterbrae…got a brace that resembles a chastity belt for the upper body. I only wore it for a week. Us’ns are a rare breed…blessed with a bit of talent, a bit of intellegence and spines of steel…well…most of us. LOLOL
Hope all is well with you and yours. (I can’t even figure out how to read the people I follow.) Grrrrr!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear, I am so sorry to hear about your back injury, Laurel! How awful for you. I do help that the brace does what its intended to do and that you mend in relative short order. Spines of steel indeed! 😉
Be well!
LikeLike
I don’t think it really matters how someone writes, as long as its legible! I think it’s good to be able to read cursive though.
P.S. – I love typewriters!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Legible is the most important part, I agree! I miss typewriters sometimes. Love that sound they made.
LikeLike
I have a couple of typewriters!
LikeLiked by 1 person