LATEST FINDINGS
CHILDREN'S PARTICIPATION IN CULTURAL AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES, AUSTRALIA, APRIL 2006
The ABS recently released Children's Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities, Australia, April 2006. This survey collects data on the participation of 5–14 year olds in sporting, cultural and other leisure activities, including children's use of computers and the Internet.
In the 12 months to April 2006, the majority of Australian children were active with 63% playing organised sport and 71% visiting a cultural venue or event outside of school. Over the same period, 92% of children used a computer and an estimated 65% accessed the Internet.
Organised cultural activities were twice as popular with girls (44%) than boys (22%). Playing a musical instrument was an interest pursued by a slightly higher proportion of girls (22%) than boys (18%). Dancing was also popular among girls (23%).
Boys (69%) were more likely than girls (58%) to participate in organised sport. Outdoor soccer, swimming and Australian Rules football were the most popular organised sports for boys, while swimming and netball were most popular with girls.
Children born in non-English speaking countries were less likely to participate in organised sport or cultural activities (56% participated) than Australian born children (74%). Participation rates were also lower for children in one-parent families (64% participated) than children in couple families (75%). Children whose parents were not employed also had lower participation (51%) than children with at least one employed parent (77%).
Print Page
Print All