The Digital Renaissance in Women’s Reading

Dr. Suneetha T. V. delves into the relationship between women and reading in the digital era.

The quote “A well-read woman is a dangerous creature”(Liza Klaypas) stumbled upon me online while searching for quotations about women’s reading, ignites curiosity about how the world perceives women readers and when it began acknowledging them. A notable scene from medieval English literature involves women attacking books, prominently depicted in Chaucer’s “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”. However, reality paints a different picture, showing that women always sought opportunities to read and write, regardless of adversities. Studies suggest that the 18th century saw an increase in women’s engagement with reading, as they gained more access to education and books.

Women’s Reading in the Digital Age

The advent of digital technology has revolutionized all aspects of life, including reading. Printed reading materials now share the space with electronic reading and audio books. This transformation in reading mediums, from books to digital platforms like computers, tablets, and mobile phones, has altered the reading landscape.

Technology and Women

Traditionally, technology was viewed as a male-dominated field, with a strong perceived link between masculinity and technological proficiency, whereas women were considered guardians of nature. Techno feminism studies the complex relationships between technology and gender. However, digital technology has disrupted this dichotomy, as observed by thinkers like Donna Haraway and Sherry Turkle, who see it as a new frontier for feminist liberation, offering a platform to transcend gender binaries and explore multiple identities.

The Contemporary Woman Reader

According to a 2021 study, half of the global population spends an average of two and a half hours daily on the internet/social media. However, a significant portion of this time is not devoted to serious reading, with content like reels and memes dominating our digital consumption. Despite this, there’s a segment of the population engaging with audio books, e-books, and online articles amidst the digital noise. Women’s journey in reading has historically been fraught with challenges, from managing dual responsibilities at home and work to societal barriers restricting access to public and educational resources. M.D. Radhika observes that often, only mothers and good teachers genuinely appreciate women readers. Experiences of discomfort in public libraries, except in educational institutions, highlight the social stigma attached to women seeking knowledge through reading. Narratives like “oru Vayanasala Viplavam” by Yama and “Achamakku Sambhavichathu” by K.R. Meera humorously portray women’s forays into traditionally male-dominated reading spaces, their transformative reading experiences, and society’s often hostile reaction to such changes. Today, libraries are becoming more inclusive of women, a positive development. However, the real game-changer is digital technology, which has made reading more accessible to women, allowing them to carry their reading materials on mobile devices, facilitating reading and writing during travels, at work, and leisure times. This digital revolution in reading has somewhat addressed issues of resource availability and access, putting the power of choice in readers’ hands. It’s now up to the readers to use this resource wisely for personal growth, keeping in mind Thomas Dreyer’s insight that claiming “no time to read” is akin to intellectual suicide, reminding us of the importance of finding time for meaningful reading amidst the deluge of digital content. Lisa Klaypas meant that a well-read woman is likely to be someone who isn’t afraid to ask questions and possesses a sense of independence. Reading is indeed one of the best ways for women to achieve freedom, self-awareness, self-sufficiency, and self-esteem. It’s not just about having a path; the realisation comes from walking it to reach the destination

References

1)Lisa Klaypas 2010 .A Wall flower Christmas. New York: St .Martin Publishers.

2)Chaucer, Geoffrey 1405-1410 CE. The wife of Bath’s Tale. Harper Perennial Classics

3)https://www.academia.edu/68446284/Women_and_digital_reading_the_gendering_of_digital_reading_practices

4)Suneetha ,T V.2024.Malayalathinte E.Jeevitham.Kozhikode: Atma Books.