Fewer students turn to reading in their spare time

With hundreds of textbook pages to be read each semester, fewer students seem to be reading for fun in their spare time.

A survey conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts found that between 1982 and 2002, literary reading declined among all age groups, with the most dramatic decline -- 17 percent -- occurring among young adults aged 18 to 24.

Although the number of young adults who participate in leisure reading is dropping, many Penn students seem to be an aberration from this trend, actively trying to pick up a book in their spare time.

Garrick Davis, the NEA's public affairs specialist, said that there are a number of factors that could have caused the steep rate of decline.

"The decline in literary reading correlates with increased participation in a variety of electronic media -- the Internet, video games [and] portable digital devices," he said. "While no single activity is responsible [for the decline] ... the cumulative presence of these other alternative [activities] ... draws these young readers away from reading."

Wharton junior Eric Sako --who said he would rather spend spare time sleeping, watching TV, working out or talking online -- said that reading is not "appealing anymore. No one talks about books like they did in middle school."

Wharton freshman Igor Makar said that because he associates reading with studying, he would rather be outside playing a sport, which is "more relaxing than reading."

However, Makar said he thinks there are just as many students who read for fun as there are who choose a different way to spend their free time.

"Some people seem like they really enjoy reading and others -- I don't see them reading unless it's a textbook," he said.

According to Davis, "Reading in general is an activity that requires a degree of active attention ... that is far different than the passive watching and reception that goes on when one watches TV."

Davis mentioned that "plenty of surveys" have demonstrated the severity of the decline in reading among young adults.

He said that these surveys show that "there is a degree of intellect that goes out the window when one changes from the medium of reading to the more passive medium of watching television."

However, there are still students who choose to read when they get a chance.

Victor Gaur, a senior in Engineering, finds leisure reading more productive than lounging around. He said that reading is not only a "stress reliever" but that reading "keeps you sane."

College freshman Monica Styles is also an avid reader. She said that she believes TV is taking the place of reading for some students.

However, Styles said, "If you really enjoy it, then you'll find time" to read.

With young adults as potential customers, publishing companies are concerned about the rate of decline in reading.

Michelle Howry--an editor at Perigree Books--said she recognizes how little down time college students have today.

"It's rather amazing that anyone is picking up a book at all," she said. "A quick Google search from the comfort of a dorm room is so much easier than trekking out to the library or bookstore in search of an actual book."

Nonetheless, she said, "People still crave that tangible experience of reading." She said that the key to getting people excited to read is publishing books on subjects they care about.

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