Abstract
Drawing on data from a recent time-budget survey, this paper investigates the relationship between cultural consumption, specifically book readership, and social stratification in Hungary. Results show that status, education and income are the three main bases for stratification in book reading in this country. As could be expected from a Weberian standpoint, the effects of class on book reading and reading preferences are less marked than those of status. People's reading behaviour is strongly associated both with their own and with their parents’ social status. The analyses suggest that in terms of stratification by education, income and status, the most salient dividing line is that between readers and non-readers. Further, only individuals at the top of the status hierarchy possess an adequate amount of educational and financial resources to consume the most ‘canonised’ forms of culture; in this case, serious literature and work-related non-fiction texts.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
