Why We Need To Keep The Arts In Schools

Children Need the Arts

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

My child's school system is currently making decisions that are going to cut out a lot of the arts programs in the schools. This is going to be very hard on us because my child is an extremely talented musician and also has a talent for drawing. Of course, the schools aren't cutting out any of the athletic programs, but my son doesn't have an athletic bone in his body. Do you think arts programs in the schools are necessary?

Sincerely,

Don't Take Away the Arts

A:

Dear Don't Take Away the Arts,

One of the most important parts of humanity and success is self-esteem, and I don't believe children gain self-esteem by being told they're great - I believe they gain self-esteem because they're told that they are good at something, and they realize that they are good at something. Not everyone is academically inclined, and the arts are an incredibly easy way to give children what is most important in life -- a set of opportunities to excel at something.

Children who are not academically inclined, or who do not prefer academics and do not excel in them, very well may excel in the arts, and it's important that education includes these options for children. If reading, writing, and arithmetic is all kids have to choose from, they may very well miss a large part of their own life.

When children are limited to academics only, they can feel like failures and resort to mediocrity in life at best and drugs, gangs, sex, and violence because they're angry at themselves for not keeping up. Giving these children opportunities in music, art, drama, and other artistic endeavors makes for a better student body and a better community and civilization.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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