May 30th, 2008
47% of black teens have written in a personal journal in the past year
Black teens are more likely than whites to write in a journal and to write music or lyrics in their personal time. 47% of black teens have written in a personal journal in the past year, and 37% have written music or lyrics. This compares with 31% and 23%, respectively, for white teens, according to Pew Internet Project. Boys and girls have similar habits with respect to the writing they do for personal enjoyment with two major exceptions: girls are significantly more likely than boys to write letters or notes to other people (77% of girls have done so in the past year, compared with 52% for boys) and to write in a journal (49% of girls keep a journal, compared with 20% of boys). Older girls are particularly avid letter writers and journalkeepers. Fully 81% of older girls write notes or letters and nearly six in ten (57%) keep a journal.
