My son is changing.

Does he have a real job, or is he planning on dossing about living off your cash or taxpayer’s dime in the pursuit of ‘arts’:

Most people who think they are arty farty are usually deluded and have 0 artistic flair or ability to sell any of their talents.

He is NOT a boy, he is a man. You will drive him away if you keep referring to his personal hair and moustache choices as ridiculous. Haven’t you seen the glorious Benson Boone? Your son sounds great!

I did a Fine Art degree and ended up in a very well paying career! A lot of graduate programs nowadays want any bachelors at a 2:1 or higher, so I used my, as some people described, ‘useless’ arts degree to get into one of these graduate programs, then moved up into senior management by 31. So definitely loads of options for them with their arts degree 😊

This

Not really sure how a couple of tattoos makes someone not sensible. Some of the highest level CEO’s in the company I worked for had a fair few of them. As long as they’re not offensive or super vulgar then it’s not really an issue these days, especially if covered.

Watch out OP. One day it's Ed Sheeran, the next it's heroin.

Oh no! Not an Ed Sheeran video 😭 you’re going to lose him to hard drugs for sure.

There’s so much more to a career in the Arts than being an artist struggling in a garret though . Look around you, pretty much everything you see has been designed by someone. My daughter and several friends work in the creative industries, she earns very well and has a fascinating job.

An acquaintance of mine went to Art College, then 'ran away' to the circus and lived in a lorry.
They eventually settled down, did further studying and then embarked on a respectable career (which used their art skills) and was very respected in their field. Their parents just rolled with it at the time. I know for a fact that my own parents would have has kittens if it had been one of my siblings!

“…were hoping he would go down the dependable sensible type. But he seems to be keen on the arts.”

As a person with a career in “the arts” I am here to say that this is really insulting.

How about supporting him instead of judging him for what makes him happy.

I was thinking Franz Kafka too when I saw the thread title.

You might get used to the look. My 18 yo used to have a standard issue teenage style fade and projecting fringe which I actually quite liked , but for reasons known only to himself he now has a pudding bowl and a wispy beard. He now looks like a Muslim convert/ Amish ( he is neither, AFAIK). Ive got used to it.

Haha this is hilarious 😂a mullet! The horror! Didn't you try anything in your early 20s OP?

The arts are an interesting, fulfilling, exciting way to spend your life. Maybe you should try it!

Cut the cord op!

Has he never tried anything new out before. 15 yo ds has experimented with several different hairstyles, fashions and music genres already. He recently went through a phase of wanting to become a rapper hut thankfully has realised he has little talent in that area and could make more money in a profession. I doubt he is done exploring yet. I think you need to let your son explore his interests and let him find who he wants to be.

I did get my hands on some of his Tingly Ted once at a very reduced price.

Even that was tame.

Perfectly pleasant.

But tame.

also, my dad had long hair and a droopy moustache as a teenager in about 1972 - it was barely shocking to his parents THEN. Have you been hibernating since 1936? 😁

I love the idea that Ed Sheeran is the poster child of the rock and roll lifestyle 😁

no offence to him, he seems a decent bloke, but Keith Richards or Sid Vicious he is not 😎

Has OP been back? Sounds like a fake post to me.

Exactly this. I wasn't even living anywhere near them.

He's interested in starting a podcast, he hasn't run away to join the circus. Yes, you're overreacting. Let him be artistic if that's where his interests lie. He'll be fine.

It’s his life and actually, if he’s got a good podcast going then he’s not necessarily going to “struggle”.

I can tell you’re pretty old - the world you were raised in doesn’t exist anymore. People are making money in and different ways.

Tattoos are not a taboo anymore. I only wish I was brave enough to get some because I would love to get a full sleeve of jellyfish and other sea creatures. I am currently rocking pink hair and I work in a corporate environment.

The world has moved on.

Just be glad he hasn't gone into life sciences, aerospace or car manufacturing, because the creative industries add more to the UK economy than those areas combined.

So I am an artist, went to art school did a BA, then went to London and did an MA at the RCA on a full scholarship. To work in a creative field is super hard and their is very little money in it unless you get very lucky. There is also a huge social aspect to the art world which hugely favours extroverts and those who love to party. Its about getting out their week in week out to opening and events getting your face known by the people who can help make your career gallerists, curators and by quite frankly ingratiating yourself to them. That isn't me and nor could I afford to stay in London for long after graduation.

I think most people in creative fields need to have multiple income streams or careers to make it work and that requires a lot of energy and a certain ability to hustle. Many teach, or do community arts work but even these jobs are thin on the ground. I also think that not every creative is blessed with that king of energy or attitude. I am not especially. In my case I was from a poor back ground but married a man with money (I didn't marry him for money) who supported me until I got my career going, well he still supports me but I make decent money now. It would surprise you how many female artists, actresses, dancers and so on marry men with money, very few marry fellow artists. For a guy the chances of finding a provider are less likely so he will need to hustle.

It isn't an easy life but it can be rewarding even if not financially. However I think it is much harder now to make it work, changes to benefits and tax over the past few years make it harder as well as the ever rising costs of living, lack of affordable homes. Many artists have family money so can rely on hand outs from time to time as well as inheritances and family connections that will save them from destitution in old age, those from modest backgrounds don't have that luxury and will need to face reality sooner or later.

I hope you aren’t making fun of his hair or desire to explore options for himself.You may find that damages your relationship long term. Try to be non judgmental and supportive