Most Americans Value Poetry, Study Finds
Most Americans Value Poetry, Few Seek It Out, Study Finds
A new study commissioned by the Chicago-based Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, finds that 90 percent of American readers value poetry highly and believe it enriches their lives.
Based on interviews with more than a thousand people by researchers at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, the report, Poetry in America, found that a large majority of Americans feel poetry contributes to their understanding and appreciation of life and helps them to lead more engaged, satisfying lives.
But while readers are generally enthusiastic about poetry, the study also suggests that there is significant work to be done in broadening the audience for it. For example, while people will buy a book of poetry when they need a meaningful gift, a relatively small percentage actively seek out poetry or consistently return to it. Moreover, those who don't read poetry say they lack interest or time or had early negative experiences with it.
"For the first time, organizations with a commitment to poetry can make their plans and seek their funding on the basis of quantitative data, not just the anecdotal impressions which, until now, have been the only information available," said Stephen Young, program director of the Poetry Foundation. "The research identifies what helps to make a person a lifelong poetry reader and will serve as a benchmark against which the Poetry Foundation will measure future initiatives."
To read or download the report (113 pages, PDF), visit: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/foundation/PoetryinAmerican_
FullReport.pdf.
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