The birth of the reading woman

In Europe, the eradication of illiteracy has been a long process in which women have clearly started from a disadvantaged position. Of course, there were differences between countries and social classes, but in general, until the 19th century, women made up the majority of the illiterate. And to have the determination to practise reading certainly wasn’t a disadvantage. In the 18th century, needles and thread were often put on the covers of books to “remind“ women of their real duties. But women were undeterred and have continued to read at a much higher rate than men, according to surveys. (Gyula Benczúr: Reading in the Woods)

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