Adults Who Read Newspapers As Teens More Civically Active

By: E&P Staff Adults who read newspapers at an early age tend to be more civically active, new research from the Newspaper Association of America Foundation found. Almost 75% of adults who read newspapers in school as teenagers gave money to a civic group last year compared with 51% of adults who had no exposure to newspapers as teens.

Those surveyed who read newspapers in their youth tend to volunteer more -- 48% verses 26% of those who didn't read newspapers. They also served on more committees, 16% compared to 8%.

"The research provides strong evidence that reading youth content and using newspapers as part of one's school curriculum makes teens more likely to perform community service and donate money to worthy causes later in life," Margaret Vassilikos, senior vice president of the NAA Foundation, said in a statement.

The study surveyed 1,500 25-to-34-year old adults by phone and builds on data released by the Foundation in the fall. The fall data revealed that 62% of adults who read a newspaper in their youth volunteered or did community service compared with 37%. MORI Research conducted the survey on behalf of the NAA Foundation.