TY - JOUR
T1 - Practices and trajectories
T2 - A comparative analysis of reading in France, Norway, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA
AU - Southerton, Dale
AU - Olsen, Wendy
AU - Warde, Alan
AU - Cheng, Shu Li
PY - 2012/11/1
Y1 - 2012/11/1
N2 - Using time diary data to examine practices of reading, this article examines trajectories of change within five countries in the last quarter of the 20th century. It employs a conceptual framework derived from theories of practice to illustrate their application in a quantitative and comparative analysis of change in patterns of consumption. Analysing recruitment and defection, the multiplication and diversification of reading-related practices, and the presence of distinct enthusiast groups leads to the rejection of popular claims that the practice of reading is in decline and that this might be a universal process across societies characterized as having 'advanced reading cultures'. Critiques of cultural homogenization in the context of global consumer cultures are also corroborated. Also, a conceptual and methodological framework for the application of practice theories to the analysis of consumption and social change is advocated.
AB - Using time diary data to examine practices of reading, this article examines trajectories of change within five countries in the last quarter of the 20th century. It employs a conceptual framework derived from theories of practice to illustrate their application in a quantitative and comparative analysis of change in patterns of consumption. Analysing recruitment and defection, the multiplication and diversification of reading-related practices, and the presence of distinct enthusiast groups leads to the rejection of popular claims that the practice of reading is in decline and that this might be a universal process across societies characterized as having 'advanced reading cultures'. Critiques of cultural homogenization in the context of global consumer cultures are also corroborated. Also, a conceptual and methodological framework for the application of practice theories to the analysis of consumption and social change is advocated.
KW - comparative analysis
KW - consumption patterns
KW - reading
KW - theories of practice
KW - time-use
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84871829635&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1469540512456920
DO - 10.1177/1469540512456920
M3 - Article (Academic Journal)
AN - SCOPUS:84871829635
SN - 1469-5405
VL - 12
SP - 237
EP - 262
JO - Journal of Consumer Culture
JF - Journal of Consumer Culture
IS - 3
ER -