The researchers found that while middle-class gamers gradually cut back on their playing time into their 20s as they began to focus on their careers, working-class gamers did not.
Adults who are addicted to video games are far more likely to be working class than middle class, according to a new study.
Researchers found that middle-class gamers gradually reduce their playing time in their 20s as they begin to focus on their careers. However, they noted that the decline in playing time for working-class gamers was less pronounced. The Loughborough University research team suggests that this contrast may be due to the fact that working-class young people tend to stick to childhood friend groups with whom they 'bond' during gaming sessions. .
Researchers interviewed 37 gamers for the study and analyzed survey data from 3,357 British adults aged 16 to 34. After analyzing this data and conducting interviews, we found that 8.7% of people between the ages of 20 and 24 in higher-level management and professional positions play video games every day. In contrast, one-fifth (20%) of people in regular or professional jobs were found to play video games. manual work. The same numbers from age 25 to her age 34 were 8.7 percent and 13 percent, respectively.
“After the age of 20, the proportion of people who play games every day decreased dramatically among the middle class. This is in contrast to the routine manual group, where the decline was significantly smaller,” said the study's lead author. One Xiaobing Zhou explained. Zhou, a doctoral student, inferred from the interview that behind this was the middle-class participants' desire to succeed in their studies and chosen careers.
“Most of the mobile participants who are middle class or above have had their gaming time gradually reduced due to educational or professional responsibilities,” he said. “They considered self-discipline to be a valuable achievement and emphasized that they found a balance between gaming as a hobby and their regular lives. It is possible that this was instilled in your workplace.”
“It affects not only the participants' game, but also their advancement in career and economic status.” The study, presented at the British Sociological Society's annual conference, found that middle-class participants They found that as they moved away from home for the sake of their children, they played games less with friends or played alone instead, allowing them to fit the activity into their own lives. . Their days are becoming increasingly busy.
However, the gaming habits of my working-class colleagues did not change much into my early twenties because their living conditions did not change. “Working-class participants, particularly those with higher education and those who were not fully employed, were more likely to play more frequently and for longer periods of time during each session as they transitioned into young adulthood.” Mr. Zhou said.
“Some people had negative opinions about the game and thought they were spending too much time on it. It might not be healthy, but they still rarely try to control the game. If they don't adopt such controlled gaming habits, they can become highly self-conscious or ashamed of their game.”
Researchers found that working-class participants remained in the same social circles throughout their lives, highlighting the bonds they experience when playing video games with childhood friends and often encouraging them to play video games further. discovered. One working-class interviewee said that Mr. Chou spends about eight hours a day playing video games, adding: “It could be more, it could be less, depending on how the gaming session goes.” Ta.
“I personally enjoy it a lot, although probably not in a healthy amount.'' Conversely, middle-class participants admitted that gaming has taken a “backburner'' in their lives. , said, “I would love to play more games and spend more time in games, but I know it's not the most important thing in my life.” At this point in life, other things always take a backseat. ”
Chou suggested that his team's study was the first to examine gaming in people transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood, adding, “Over the past 20 years, Although much research has been conducted, the influence of social class on video games has often been overlooked.
The study also recorded data on the careers of young people aged 16 to 19, several of whom held management positions and some even ran their own businesses. Of these, one in three (33%) played video games every day, compared to 5% (38%) of those engaged in daily jobs or manual labor. ) has become expensive.
Half of 16- to 19-year-olds in senior management positions have never played a video game, while half of 16- to 19-year-olds in daily jobs or manual labor have never played a video game. Ta. In older people, this figure was 50-60% in both classes.
