Why We Need The Arts | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Why We Need The Arts

And why we should let our students study them

20
Why We Need The Arts
The Odyssey Online

More and more parents are pushing their children into the hard sciences and making them believe that the only viable career choices for them are a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. Students are picking majors in business, biochemistry, and political science over theatre, English, and art. And if you do enjoy business, biochemistry, or political science and truly want to pursue that, then more power to you. The world needs people like you. But we also need people that want to pursue theatre, English, and art. We keep telling our children that they can’t pursue the arts because they won’t have a job or won’t be able to make a living and the fact is that that’s not true.

As an English major, I’m constantly being asked if I want to teach. Or if they’re polite enough to ask what I really want to do, it’s with a doubtful grimace. People don’t believe that you can get a job outside teaching if you choose a major in the arts. Then you’ll only teach children to go on to get the same major and become a teacher like you so that they can later teach children to do the same thing as them and so on. Only a few of you will find jobs out of teaching and those of you that do, even less will be able to support themselves without taking on a second job. But that isn’t true.

First off, there’s plenty of jobs outside of teaching and education. Journalism, graphic design, screenwriting, directing, editing, publishing, illustration, sketch artist. There are so many different avenues you can take. You just have to look at your options and think about what you really want to do. Don’t settle for something you’re not happy with, even if it means you get to sort of use your major or maybe do it on the side.

Second, arts majors give you skills that the hard sciences don’t. They can teach you how to observe. They can teach you how to write. They can teach you how to be patient and how to revise and re-revise. They teach you how to deal with theories and subjective arguments. Even if you’re a science or business major, a major in the arts can help you approach science or business in a new way and give you an advantage that many others lack.

And last, we need creative people. A major in the arts teaches creativity and that can help in any area of life whether you’re a scientist, a stay-at-home mom, or a teacher. We need story-tellers. We need artists. We need performers. These are the things that make life enjoyable when it gets difficult. Yes, science, and medicine, and business are all necessary. But, think of how boring our world would be without story-tellers, artists, and performers. So stop telling your children, friends, and fellow classmates that their passions are pointless. Stop telling them that they can’t make a living or that they’ll get sucked into a meaningless desk job or become a teacher even though they hate kids. Just sit back and give them the chance to blow your mind.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

193045
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16521
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

459136
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27329
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments