The importance of learning to write has little to do with the "romantic sense that script expresses identity." It has to do with expressing ideas. Written communication should be possible even away from a keyboard. A pencil can be a wonderful tool; it's portable, lightweight, needs no electricity, and if legible (and that's what learning handwriting is really about) you communicate your words and ideas. Also: have you ever grabbed a scrap of paper on the spur of the moment to jot a note to yourself? I do all the time, and wouldn't be able to "hold that thought" until getting to a computer hours later.