Should children be taught to write in cursive?

[Barrister]

As I understand it, the argument against learning cursive isn't that printing is easier to read, but rather that everyone is going to be typing notes anyways.

I'm probably quite atypical due to my career, but I couldn't survive without cursive writing.  I have to take copious notes in the midst of direct examination and cross.  There no possible chance I could be pecking away at a laptop as I go.

[Razgovory]

I was taught to write in cursive at school but my calligraphy sucked (and sucks) so much that I switched to print during my teenage years. I'm much more legible that way.

Yeah, same with me.  I have atrocious hand-writing stemming from extremely poor motor control.

[garbon]

As I understand it, the argument against learning cursive isn't that printing is easier to read, but rather that everyone is going to be typing notes anyways.

I'm probably quite atypical due to my career, but I couldn't survive without cursive writing.  I have to take copious notes in the midst of direct examination and cross.  There no possible chance I could be pecking away at a laptop as I go.

So basically you just need to learn to type.

[Eddie Teach]

He can't do dramatic walking round the courtroom if he's tethered to his computer.

[garbon]

Nor in pleats.

[Syt]

I think kids these days curse enough as it is, they don't need help with that.

[Monoriu]

I think kids these days curse enough as it is, they don't need help with that.

We all curse.  I don't think the latest generation curse more than the previous generations. 

[Syt]

YOU'RE RUINING THE JOKE

[Monoriu]

YOU'RE RUINING THE JOKE

[CountDeMoney]

FUCKING AUTISTIC ASS ASIANS

[Agelastus]

We were taught joined up writing towards the end of junior school.
At senior school we were quickly told to stop doing it.
I guess because it is harder for the teachers to read.
So no. A bit useless.

Strange school.

Although I must admit I could be biased here by the small sample size of schools involved in my own education, that's the opposite to my experience. Once you learned "joined-up" writing you were never discouraged from using it, not at School or University.

Good thing too - essays at school were often defined by the number of A4 sides to use, and I used to write at something like 600-650 words to the page*. I couldn't have written speedily enough using printing; it's simply faster when you're minimising the number of times the pen leaves the page.


*Very small writing - 18-20 words to the line; my joined-up writing was not slanted or sprawling due to the odd way I hold my pen (described as being held "like a left handed person in their right hand".)