Handwriting on the Wall

As the debates rage on about dropping cursive writing from the schools I wonder at how the younger generations are able to make any legible symbols at all. Am I the only one that has noticed how they hold a writing implement? They wad it up in their hand in a fist like grip,complete with white knuckles,it is amazing that the pen or pencil doesn't snap in half. When I was taught penmanship how you held the pen/pencil was an important part. I was taught that if you held it too tightly your hand would tire more quickly,in fact I recall the instructors walking around the room and seeing if they could pull the pens/pencils from your hands,if they couldn't you were told to hold it more loosely. I guess none of that really matters since cursive writing is becoming obsolete...so if that is the case,why are they still teaching kids how to read analog clocks? I know it isn't exactly the same but just as handwriting has been replaced by keyboarding so have analog clocks been replaced by digital.