Reading for fun has declined by a 40%

[payton]

Between 2003 and 2023, the proportion of Americans who read for fun on a given day has been steadily falling, a new study suggests​

Reading for fun has been declining since the 1940s. However, the “sustained, steady” drop over the past 20 years is “deeply concerning,” says study co-author Jill Sonke, research director at the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida, in a statement.

The results are troubling because reading has always been “one of the more accessible ways to support well-being,” adds co-author Daisy Fancourt, a behavioral health researcher at University College London, in the statement. “The research is clear: Reading is a vital health-enhancing behavior for every group within society, with benefits across the life-course.”

Reading for Pleasure Has Declined by a 'Deeply Concerning' 40 Percent Over the Past Two Decades

Between 2003 and 2023, the proportion of Americans who read for fun on a given day has been steadily falling, a new study suggests

www.smithsonianmag.com

Do you still enjoy reading?

 

[Tone C]

Between 2003 and 2023, the proportion of Americans who read for fun on a given day has been steadily falling, a new study suggests​

Reading for fun has been declining since the 1940s. However, the “sustained, steady” drop over the past 20 years is “deeply concerning,” says study co-author Jill Sonke, research director at the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida, in a statement.

The results are troubling because reading has always been “one of the more accessible ways to support well-being,” adds co-author Daisy Fancourt, a behavioral health researcher at University College London, in the statement. “The research is clear: Reading is a vital health-enhancing behavior for every group within society, with benefits across the life-course.”

Reading for Pleasure Has Declined by a 'Deeply Concerning' 40 Percent Over the Past Two Decades

Between 2003 and 2023, the proportion of Americans who read for fun on a given day has been steadily falling, a new study suggests

www.smithsonianmag.com

Do you still enjoy reading?

Yes, but I'm not American.

 

[Meatspin]

I believe it. It’s way easier to pick up my phone than my Kindle. I do try to read a bit each day.

 

[Flower2dPeople]

I mostly listen to audiobooks at work. It's not reading but I'm finishing a book a week.

 

[Kardashians]

I read off and on. Like with everything I go through phases.

 

[FléauDeDieu]

The most I read is when I'm not writing fiction for money. After spending all day writing 3000 words, the last thing you want to do is read even more.

 

[ezikel315]

 

[Osculater]

I read Sherdog for fun

 

[liner]

I read alot and have since I was a kid. Always read before bed. Also at work on breaks and lunch

 

[IanEdwards]

why read for mere fun when I can do serious research using a vast range of 5 minute youtube videos? SMH

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

I read the internet, it's a lot better.

 

[DougieJones]

I read words all day who cares if it is in proper books or not


Elitists

 

[Long Dark Blues]

My resolution was to read five new books before the summer, I got three in.

Now I'm re-reading Slaughterhouse-Five for 30 minutes before I go to bed.

 

[IanEdwards]

My resolution was to read five new books before the summer, I got three in.

Now I'm re-reading Slaughterhouse-Five for 30 minutes before I go to bed.

'(Billy) had a tremendous wang, incidentally. You never know who'll get one'. One of the greatest lines in literary history

 

[EL CORINTHIAN]

A bit weird since printed book sales have maintained themselves quite well last I heard.

 

[Cole train]

Reading in general has gone down among youngsters where im from

Personally library card is my most used card after bank card and strip club membership card

 

[Natural Order]

My resolution was to read five new books before the summer, I got three in.

Now I'm re-reading Slaughterhouse-Five for 30 minutes before I go to bed.

Great book. Vonnegut bless

 

[mjmj]

And this is the type of shit our tax dollars fund through gov grants, "studies" to determine shit that anyone with half a brain already knows. Reading has always just been an entertaining way to pass time. As technology improves, we find other ways to pass the time. It didn't take a study to realize that reading would decrease from a time with no smart phones to a time where everyone has one.

 

[payton]

My resolution was to read five new books before the summer, I got three in.

Now I'm re-reading Slaughterhouse-Five for 30 minutes before I go to bed.

I'm reading Suicide Note by Mitchell Heisman. The author was a rich guy who blew his brains out in Harvard Yard in front of tourists.
He did it as part of a philosophical exploration he called "an experiment in nihilism.'' Shit reads like a 4chan post but its still a fascinating book.

 

[Gutter Chris]

Between 2003 and 2023, the proportion of Americans who read for fun on a given day has been steadily falling, a new study suggests​

Reading for fun has been declining since the 1940s. However, the “sustained, steady” drop over the past 20 years is “deeply concerning,” says study co-author Jill Sonke, research director at the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida, in a statement.

The results are troubling because reading has always been “one of the more accessible ways to support well-being,” adds co-author Daisy Fancourt, a behavioral health researcher at University College London, in the statement. “The research is clear: Reading is a vital health-enhancing behavior for every group within society, with benefits across the life-course.”

Reading for Pleasure Has Declined by a 'Deeply Concerning' 40 Percent Over the Past Two Decades

Between 2003 and 2023, the proportion of Americans who read for fun on a given day has been steadily falling, a new study suggests

www.smithsonianmag.com

Do you still enjoy reading?

Miss reading. Used to knock out stories faster than anyone I know. I became management and had a kid and now every single waking hour of the day I'm busy and when it all stops I sleep a few hours and do it again . Think I'm like 2 James Reece stories behind now. Think there's a douglas murray book I haven't read ... and this time a year I usually re read Potter and then the lord of the rings. Gonna be a few years before I have free time again I think.