Bored Eleven-year-olds

Using data from the National Child Development Study, a group of eleven-year-old children who say they are often bored in their spare time are identified. They are compared with the remainder of the N.C D.S. sample and found, on average, to be of lower social class and to come from larger families. Their leisure activities are reported to be less varied but, according to mothers' ratings, this is not due to lesser provision of facilities. Evidence of lower school attainment and poorer adjustment to school is also presented.