As Valentine’s Day passes and cards are handed out, some people may argue that technology has taken away a personal aspect of communication, such as the art of letter writing.
During the Victorian Era, letters were the only form of communication. Announcements, news, invitations and other notifications were communicated through a handwritten letter.
However, since the turn of the 21st century, electronic forms of communication have risen to prominence. For matters of business and even simple birthday invitations, e-mails have become the standard method.
For freshman Bobby Christopher, handwritten letters have been scarce in his junior high and high school experiences. Since he was born in 1995, Christopher says he grew up in the age of e-mail and social networking.
“I spend more time texting or on Facebook, and if I need to send something important I use an e-mail,” Christopher said. “I cannot remember a specific time when I last wrote or received a letter from someone. It’s not something I do often, and using technology is just easier.”
In contrast, senior Cassidy Hutchins has received many letters from friends throughout her high school years. To her, letters are a much more significant form of communication.
“Handwritten letters are more special to me because they are more personal, and it shows me that someone took the time to write down what they were thinking,” Hutchins said. “Also, I can keep them longer, so if I want to go back and read them, I can.”
Both Hutchins and Christopher belong to a generation that has grown up with social networking. Although she uses it regularly, Hutchins recognizes some negative effects of social networking on personal communication.
“I don’t necessarily like the huge rise in technology because I feel like it makes it more difficult to talk to people in person,” Hutchins said. “You can’t get a really good sense of how a person feels because technology takes away body language and facial expressions.”
Because much of the focus on technology is directed toward today’s youth, older generations who have experienced handwritten letters more often realize the changes in communication that have taken place.
Art teacher Sharon Scharf has made it a point to keep letter writing alive by making cards for troops overseas and including letter writing projects for her classes to complete during Christmas and Easter.
“Some troops don’t even have access to a computer and will be gone for weeks at a time, not being able to shower, let alone have access to a computer,” Scharf said. “The mail is what they live for; for them it is something they can keep with them and physically touch. It means the world that someone would take the time to make a personal card.”
Scharf understands what a handwritten letter means to a soldier since her nephew, Eric Voneuw, a specialist in the 82nd Airborne Division, recently served overseas. To him, receiving letters was an enviable experience.
“When talking with my nephew when he was home, he expressed vividly how much letters meant to him,” Scharf said. “He and his friends lived for these letters; it is what they coveted most.”
In her annual Christmas letter, Scharf has combined technological communication with handwriting. Each person receives the same typed letter, but she handwrites an individual note on each copy to give it a personal touch. For many, this personal touch is what distinguishes handwritten letters from other forms of communication.
For more information on letter-writing, read the Aug. 17, 2010 article, Wartime letters tell grandmother’s tale.
