The effect of exposure to culture in childhood Ken Humphreys

Purpose Widening cultural participation could contribute to well being and social cohesion Lack of interest most frequently given reason for adults who do not participate in culture (People in Scotland 2007 based on SHS Module) Engaging interest might be easier with children rather than adults who have decided ‘culture is not for them’

Arts Council England report (using DCMS ‘Taking Part’ data) Survey c 13,500 adults aged 16+ years living in England 2005/06 Being taken to arts events when growing up significantly increases the chances of both adult attendance and participation Receiving encouragement to participate in the arts when growing up makes one more likely both to participate in arts activities and to attend arts events as an adult

Arts Council England report (using DCMS ‘Taking Part’ data) People who define their ethnic background as Black, Asian, Mixed or ‘Other’ are significantly less likely to have been taken to arts events by their parents when growing up Parents are significantly more likely to encourage and foster arts engagement among girls than among boys Younger respondents are significantly more likely to report having been taken to arts events and encouraged to participate in arts activities when growing up, compared with older age groups

DCMS research (Taking Part)- children’s participation Looked at engagement amongst children (age years) 2,454 interviews in 2007 Most children had some cultural exposure Boys less likely than girls: - arts events, arts activities and libraries White more likely than BME children - visit historical sites

Scotland Scottish Household Survey Sport and Culture Module now asks adults about exposure to culture as a child Some results from 2007 now discussed

SHS 2007 results Libraries Figure 8.2 Respondents taken to a library (by adults in household/family) when growing up, by gender Column percentage, 2007 data, adult population Base: All respondents (3,384)

2007 SHS results Museums and Galleries

SHS 2007 results Encouragement to play musical instruments, act, dance or sing when growing up % of adultsAllMaleFemale Encouraged a lot Encouraged a little Not encouraged at all Don't know000 Base3,3831,4341,949

SHS 2007/2008 – what now ? With more data we can explore the relationship between what people did as a child and what they choose to do as an adult. Look at potential confounding due to demographic factors known to influence cultural participation as an adult (e.g. qualifications). Construct a model

Links ACE 2005/ echildrentoday_phpv2th2g.pdf DCMS Taking Part aspx SG SHS Sport and Culture Module /0