The Arts Are Better at Developing Good Citizens Than Religion, Say Researchers

PSY ORG

UNITED KINGDOM --- The British Sociological Association annual conference in London heard today [Wednesday, April 3] that young people who frequently took part in cultural activities were much more likely to do voluntary or community work. The researchers also found that attending cultural or sports events was the largest predictor of civic engagement. Young people who said they went "often" to the theatre, ballet, classical music concerts, museums, art galleries or sports events were 65% more likely to taken part in voluntary work than those who went less often. Young people who attended weekly religious services were no more likely to do voluntary or community work than those who did not, and the religious denomination of young people made no difference to their willingness to volunteer. These rates were comparable with results from similar US studies. [link]