Study: Understanding culture consumption

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The higher an individual's household income or educational qualifications, the more likely they are to go to a movie, attend a theatrical performance or participate in a host of other cultural activities, according to a new study.

The study, "Understanding culture consumption in Canada," found that household income was an important determinant of participation, regardless of the activity. Similarly, it provided evidence that an individual's educational attainment was highly associated with culture participation, whether activities occurred indoors or out.

In the same vein, it identified economic activity as a factor in participating. For instance, someone in management, business, finance or administrative occupations was 8.8% more likely to attend a theatrical performance occasionally than an individual who was unemployed or in an occupation related to primary industry or manufacturing.

Individuals with parents who had advanced educational qualifications, such as a university degree, were significantly more likely than those whose parents had lower educational attainment to attend most culture activities.

However, the impact of the mother's educational qualification exceeded that of the father's for attendance at, or participation in, most activities.

The educational qualification of an individual's conjugal partner was also positively associated with higher participation in events of all kinds.

For most selected culture activities, the importance of a conjugal partner's education surpassed that of the parent's level of education, regardless of the level of participation.

Participation in cultural activities also varied both by age and gender. Attendance at theatrical performances, historic sites, public galleries or art museums increased with age. In contrast, going to nature parks or conservation areas or using libraries frequently decreased with age.

Compared with the average adult male, the average adult female was 5.5% more likely to attend theatrical performances occasionally, and 2% more likely to do so as a frequent theatregoer.

The study indicated that marital status and province of residence had an impact on consumption of culture. For instance, people living with young children (as compared with those living in a household with no dependent children) and those who were married, widowed or living in common-law relationships (in comparison with divorced and separated individuals) were less likely to be in a culture audience.

Residents of Quebec and Atlantic Canada were less likely, and British Columbians more likely, to be regular readers of magazines than Ontario residents.

Note: The study used data from the 2005 General Social Survey to examine the extent to which socioeconomic characteristics influenced the number of times Canadians aged 15 and older participated in cultural activities.

These activities included going to the movies, attending theatrical or music popular performances; visiting historic sites, conservation areas or nature parks; going to a public gallery or arts museum; listening to music; watching videos; reading books or magazines; or using a library.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4503.

The research paper, "Understanding culture consumption in Canada," is now available as part of the Culture, Tourism and the Centre for Education Statistics: Research Papers, 2005 (81-595-MIE2008066, free), from the Publications module of our website.

For general information, contact Client Services (toll-free 1-800-307-3382; 613-951-5418; fax: 613-951-1333; culture@statcan.gc.ca). To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Jacques Ewoudou (613-951-1075), Culture, Tourism and the Centre for Education Statistics.