The power of books: regular reading for pleasure and its impact on youth deviancy

This study explored the relationship between regular reading for pleasure and deviant behavior among young individuals. Prior research has demonstrated that reading for pleasure is related to empathy and personal development, prompting this examination of its association with deviance. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 97 provided the data, encompassing a sample of 3482 individuals aged 12–16. The variable “regularly reading for pleasure” was assessed in relation to adverse behavioral outcomes. Regularly reading for pleasure was significantly linked to a reduced likelihood of arrest for illegal or delinquent activities, substance use, carrying a handgun, running away from home, destroying property, and stealing anything greater than 50 dollars (including cars). No relationship was observed between reading for pleasure and belonging to a gang and selling illegal drugs. These analyses controlled for ethnicity, gender, date of birth, reading ability, and parent education. The results indicate a link between regular reading for pleasure and lower levels of deviant behavior.