Are basic literacy skills declining?

[Son of Stan]

After a few years out of working with the public I'm back doing some shifts in a community centre. As there's a gym, a lot of young uns joining up have to complete a membership form and it's become really noticeable to me how quite a few struggle to complete them. Today a father had to explain what 'date of birth' is to his son and actually tell him what it was. Also, one of the questions is 'ethnicity' to which a few have answered:
Unknown
Not known
And 'none'.

I am talking about Newcastle West here (and I live here too ) - but I am still surprised. I'm not sure if standards have actually declined or I've just forgotten how things have always been.

 

[super noodles]

TL;DR

 

[MackemBob]

You’re right. The skills are terrible.

 

[Son of Stan]

TL;DR

Showing off with a semicolon there.

 

[Goat Eyes]

Being the West End I think all of those questions were valid.

Most of them probably don’t know what their actual age is, therefore don’t know what their DOB is.

Neither would they know their heritage.

 

[elder]

just have a flick through facebook mate...

 

[nelford_safc]

Ethnic origin is a strange thing to ask a gym member mind.

 

[Charmless Man]

Ethnic origin is a strange thing to ask a gym member mind.

Potentially a council gym and the council are interested in the demographics using particular services?

 

[Arkle]

Yes they am.

 

[nelford_safc]

Potentially a council gym and the council are interested in the demographics using particular services?

Suppose for research purposes yeah. Still odd though.

 

[jubblies]

You wot m8 ?

 

[look out piano]

Not sure, there are always folks who don't want to learn and don't really care. I love reading and writing, it's class .

 

[Grammar Police]

Yes they am.

I 'seen' what you 'done' there.

 

[Son of Stan]

Ethnic origin is a strange thing to ask a gym member mind.

It's part of a medical questionnaire so pretty standard. And I have to say the majority answer is white British which is also true of this particular area.

 

[ouro]

just have a flick through facebook mate...

That is indicative of the people you accept as friends mate. Its not random, its your own fault.

 

[Grammar Police]

That is indicative of the people you accept as friends mate. Its not random, its your own fault.

*It's.

 

[elder]

That is indicative of the people you accept as friends mate. Its not random, its your own fault.

 

[ouro]

*It's.

I knew I'd hook at least one.

 

[Grammar Police]

I knew I'd hook at least one.

That old chestnut...

 

[mcq10]

Mobile phones and text messaging