Examination of the arts activities of younger and older (above and below 65) Americans validate other studies in leisure. As expected, those younger than 65 years of age were more active in nearly all of the leisure activities tested. While leisure activities decline as one grows older, participation in passive and active arts activities (in the home and out of the home) decline far less than for most other leisure activities. Those 65 and older were more likely to attend fine arts performances, such as opera, musical plays, stage plays, and ballet dispellling the ideas that the elderly prefer solitary activities. Includes references [bibliography].

Examination of the arts activities of younger and older (above and below 65) Americans validate other studies in leisure. As expected, those younger than 65 years of age were more active in nearly all of the leisure activities tested. While leisure activities decline as one grows older, participation in passive and active arts activities (in the home and out of the home) decline far less than for most other leisure activities. Those 65 and older were more likely to attend fine arts performances, such as opera, musical plays, stage plays, and ballet dispellling the ideas that the elderly prefer solitary activities. Includes references.