To talk DS out of doing GCSE Art

[UnderABridge]

Name changed for this as I'm probably being unreasonable.

DS is about to go into year 9 and this year he has to pick his options, he's dead set on doing Art along with computer science and History.

And although he's good at Art, he isn't brilliant at it. I'd know he struggle with it and honestly I'd rather he put his time and effort into something more substantial, he'll most likely drop Art at A levels anyway.

Would it be unreasonable of me to talk him out it and pick something he'll get a lot more out of and find a lot easier, like PE?

[WyldFyre]

Art is about more than just drawing though.
When I did it many moons ago there were essays about different styles.

Also arts subjects help make for a rounded human being.

I was banned from doing art at a higher level by my father, who thought I lacked talent. I am average technically but excelled at the essay/appreciation side - I am still annoyed that I didn't have a chance to do what I loved.

[WordsAreWind]

"And although he's good at Art, he isn't brilliant at it".

The majority of brilliant artists were once only good at art, some even medicore at your sons age. With good teachers, practice and passion your son could be a brilliant artist.

He could find he hates it at GCSE level, or it could ignite a passion in him that will stay with him all throughout his life. Let him decide.

[LagunaBubbles]

So why not just save him the trouble and get him to do something he'll enjoy and be good at

Because its not your decision to make. Its his. And if it proves a mistake so be it - we only learn like this. You cant micro manage your childrens decisions and choices for them.

[AVY1]

YABU. 16 years later and I'm still miffed my parents wouldn't let me do GCSE Art. I ended up taking it at A Level and did well but nowhere near as well as I would have done if I'd had the grounding that my fellow pupils had.

I think it's really important to have a varied academic base.

However, you may find that after all the talks that he gets about the different subjects he ends up with a completely different set of choices anyway. I remember that my PE teacher did such a good talk that I was almost convinced to choose it - even though I was a consistently terrible sports woman!

[purplefox]

Art would fit perfectly with a career related to computer science, far better than PE.

[ollyollyoxenfree]

I did gcse Art with probably about average ability...

Still annoyed that artistic genius was not appreciated and my string of A*s at gcse are marred by a B in Art

I really don't think its worth it if you're not effortlessly good! If DS is academic then far less effort to get a high grade in another subject

[skatesection]

Art will fit in well with his career plans, he should go for it.

[UnderABridge]

Okay, IBU, I already suspected that but I feel awful just letting him do it, when it's so obviously the wrong choice.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I doubt the school will agree to him doing it if he's 'crap,' they'll suggest something else.

2months on if he hates it it's possible to move to another subject.

[blackheartsgirl]

I agree Helen. Dd1 was fast tracked to do Art Gcse at the end of year 8. She's coming into year 10 now and absolutely loathes the subject now. She's a fantastic illustrator and has won competitions for her work but there's just something about the subject that just doesn't sit easy with her anymore, it doesn't help her teacher is a bit of a prat and she doesn't get on with him much.

[NNChangeAgain]

My DD wanted to do Art as a contrast to her academic subjects. She listened to the teacher who said there would be after school commitment etc but was set on it even though she wasn't excelling in the way she was in her other subjects.

Two years in and it's one of her best subjects! She really enjoys the contrast with academia, has found it overlaps with her other subjects and has been talent spotted by a local design company. She's on track for an A - despite being considered a C grade student at the start of the course.

I could have been you 2 years ago - let him go for it - he may surprise you!

[BarbarianMum]

God, now you sound like my dad (he turned out to be wrong, by the way). Honestly, if the worst mistake he ever makes is taking GCSE art he'll have led a charmed life.

[MrsJayy]

Why not say son what are you going to do if you hate it you are stuck with it, see what he says.

[Willow2016]

Let him take it, he can always take something else next year.

I did o grade art (when god was a boy!) I wasnt great at it not any use for portraits but pretty ok at still life and 'graphic design' but I enjoyed it and got the grade. I still like to 'doodle' when the mood takes me I was never going to be anywhere good enough to take the A level but my art teacher didnt care, he encouraged us all to do as well as we could and be individuals and enjoy art for arts sake!

Too much emphasis on 'the right subjects' kids should also do things that they like and make school fun, not just a slog to please everyone else.

[WordsAreWind]

The wrong choice for who?

You or him?

Even if it does end up being the wrong choice, he will have learnt a valid lesson all by his self.

[EllenJanethickerknickers]

Ah, UnderABridge, my DS3 is about to start GCSE Music. Not by my choice. He's good at maths and codes etc so can read music perfectly well. He plays the flute and while it's not unpleasant it's hardly sublime. So what? Let him take one subject for fun, make his very minor mistake. DS3 has also chosen computing and history but also Chinese, which again, he's not wonderful at. So long as he's not limiting his A level choices, which in both our cases will probably be maths/science/computing, where's the harm?

[2kids2dogsnosense]

Leave the choice to him. Let him enjoy his artistic side.

[WordsAreWind]

Himself* d'oh

[EllenJanethickerknickers]

PS, I convinced DS1 to take French as he 'should' do a language. He hated it by the end and it was his worst result by far. And he blames meeee!

[Buddahbelly]

Hate to say it OP but back off and let your ds decide what he wants to do with his own life.

I had my choices made for me also, My mum decided it was for the best I dont do art and instead do Public Relations to bring me out of myself, I struggled with it for 2 years and got a d in it for gcse's

I then went on to do art at A levels, followed with a btec 3d graphic design course and then onto Uni and now run my own business. Not all bad comes from art you know

[Sadik]

Well, I'm going to be a second to say YANBU - at least as far as being gently discouraging, and getting him to talk to Y11 students. From all reports I've heard (inc on here) it involves a lot of out-of-hours work, so you have to be absolutely committed and also really quite organised.

DD has taken drama instead - equally a lot of extra-curricular time, but she already does out-of-school drama (and would like to do more), and has also again talked a lot with older friends who are taking the subject so she knows what is involved.

[imwithspud]

I did art at GCSE and loved it. I wasn't fantastic at it, got a C in the end. But it was a break from all my other more 'academic' subjects and I needed that. I also found all the coursework really enjoyable unlike the rest of my subjects.

I wouldn't stop him from taking it as a subject, it's his choice and all you'll do is build resentment.

[Sadik]

FWIW I don't think it's the risk of a lower grade that is an issue - it's the pain, sweat and stress in the process of getting there!

[RainyDayBear]

YABU - if he enjoys it then that's the main thing. They have so little choice nowadays that he will have a broad range of academic subjects anyway and lots of stress and pressure elsewhere.

[UnderABridge]

Okay clearly a lot of people were pushed into subjects by their parents and still hold resentment, for that reason alone, I'll back off.

I'm not happy but I'll suck it up and just be ready for if he loves it or hates it.