On intergenerational differences in highbrow cultural participation. Is the Internet at home an explanatory factor in understanding lower highbrow participation among younger cohorts?

Abstract

This article uses a series of cross-sectional data sets from 2001 to 2010 to study differences in highbrow cultural participation among subsequent generations in Belgium. Using an Age-Period-Cohort model, we first assess whether and to what degree highbrow cultural participation differs between birth cohorts, age groups, and periods. Second, we examine whether or not having Internet access at home is a contributing factor in understanding intergenerational differences. We assess whether Internet access at home enhances or displaces highbrow cultural participation and look into the different effects of Internet access on different generations. Results suggest that highbrow cultural participation is indeed declining among younger cohorts, indicating a weakening position of highbrow culture in the lives of young people. But, having Internet access at home cannot be regarded as a competitive force for highbrow participation. On the contrary, Internet access is associated with higher levels of highbrow cultural participation. Moreover, this positive association is most pronounced in the youngest birth cohorts.

Keywords:

• highbrow cultural participation
• Internet
• APC-model
• longitudinal

Notes on contributors

Astrid Van Steen is researcher at the Department of Sociology of Ghent University (Belgium). She obtained her PhD in 2012 on perceptions and meanings of (highbrow) art participation. In her research, she focuses on the phenomenon of non-participation and participation in art/culture among young people. [email: [email protected]]

Jef Vlegels is doctoral student and teaching assistant at the Department of Sociology of Ghent University. He is part of the research group CUDOS and his research is mainly about cultural taste, participation, and social networks. [email: [email protected]]

John Lievens is associate professor at the Department of Sociology of Ghent University (Belgium). He teaches several courses in statistics and demography. His research focuses on culture and art participation/consumption, amateur art participation, perception of culture, lifestyles, sexual behaviour, and partner choice in ethnic minorities. [email: [email protected]]

Notes

1. Flanders is the densely populated Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. Belgium is a federal state and arts and culture fall under the legacy of Flanders.