Music Listening, Uses of

Household Availability

Music sources are extremely common in the houses of adolescents throughout the United States. The typical child between the ages of 8 and 18 is likely to live in a house with three CD/tape players and three radios. About 97% of children in that age range live in a home with at least one radio, and 98% have at least one CD/tape player in their home. Furthermore, more than 80% of U.S. adolescents report having one radio and/or CD/tape player in their bedroom. Adolescents also value the portability of music players. As of 2004, 61% owned a portable CD player, and 18% owned an MP3 player. Interestingly, adolescents' access to audio media differs from other media in that there are no significant differences in access related to age, ethnicity, race, or parent education and income. However, the amount of time children spend with music is not uniform across age, gender, or racial characteristics. As children age, the amount of time spent listening to music increases.

Time Spent Listening

On any given day, 85% of U.S. children between 8 and 18 years old listen to at least a few minutes of audio media (primarily music), and more than 40% of those children spend more than an hour and a half listening each day. A child between the ages of 8 and 10 listens to nearly an hour of music each day. Children in late adolescence (15 to 18 years old) listen to music for more than 2.5 hours per day. Younger girls (8 to 14 years old) spend more time listening to music than boys that age. However, by late adolescence, there is virtually no difference by gender. Younger African American children (2 to 10 years old) listen to more radio than their white counterparts.

The amount of time spent with music has been a source of consternation for media researchers because of music's role as a backdrop for other activities including other media (e.g., TV, Internet). Adolescents are becoming increasingly adept at multiple media use. About 25% of adolescents' total media time is spent simultaneously using more than one type of media. Of course, the aural nature of music makes it a prime choice for multiple media activity.

Contexts for Music Listening

Music is not only suitable for multiple media use but also has an important role during nonmedia group or individual activities. As children age, they increasingly use music with their peers or siblings. From the age of 12, children are exposed to popular music in the company of friends at parties and dances. In addition, by early adolescence, radio and recordings are increasingly used in solitary or personal situations to supplement activities such as reading, studying, and talking on the phone. Of course, late adolescents rarely spend a minute in a car (either alone or with others) without music playing.

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