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?

[mum2Bomg]

Sorry but YABU.

[Lancelottie]

DS was one of those who is indeed effortlessly good at art (or at least drawing).

He found, as some others have said, that GCSE art nearly put him off for life, because he hates having to justify the process/show your working/claim to be inspired etc etc.

On the other hand, our neighbour's daughter, who quite likes drawing but was never going to take it further, has just plodded her way to a very nice B in Art through listening to what the teacher said and making sure she did it. She doesn't seem to have found this remotely stressful.

DD is taking art next year. I suspect she'll be somewhere between the two.

[DelphiniumBlue]

My DS15 is doing GCSE Art. He is good at it, but it's not his passion. He's finding the workload quite oppressive - he spends more time doing Art coursework than all the other subjects put together. That's not exaggerating, it just is hugely time-consuming, unless you are very fast. He's quite academic and leans towards the STEM subjects, can knock off maths homework in half an hour, but you can't do that with Art.

As an example for you to give to your son, so far this holiday he's spent 5 whole days working on Art homework, and will spend the next 3 days finishing up. That's 8 days out of his summer holiday, when he's not chilling or studying academic subjects, he's still got other subjects to do as well.
He spends several hours a week during term term, after school and weekends, on Art coursework.
I wanted him to do Art because he's good at it and so I thought it would be an easy option, and because I wanted a balance with the STEM subjects, but it was his choice, and I'm not sure he'd make the same choice again.
I also think you don't actually need to be particularly good to get a reasonable grade - a lot of it is following requirements and experimenting.
If he wants to do it, it does sound interesting but he'd have to be prepared for the time commitment.

[DarklyDreamingDexter]

My daughter was very good at art, but found it tough as the coursework takes up a hell of a lot of time. She was often in tears towards the end of her course just trying to get through the sheer volume of work that was expected. It's not an easy option by any means.

[catsrus]

I wasn't great at Art - but did the old O level and got a grade 3 IIRC. I ended up in computer science, with a PhD. I have NEVER regretted doing art - it really taught me how to LOOK at things, absolutely invaluable. Now in retirement I am actually doing a lot of art related activities.

let him choose. if it's a mistake it's his mistake.

[Leeds2]

I think YWBU to force your son to drop art if that is what he wants to do, as long as he has done some research into what it involves, and how much time it takes up. That said, I think I would've done my level best to talk DD out of taking art just because I have seen from her friends, and my friends' children, how time consuming it is. It really does seem to take over their lives.

[imwithspud]

Ah yes, I forgot about all the annotating, having to explain what or who inspired you and how it ties in with the topic. That was a drag, probably why I came out with a C as I didn't really 'get' that aspect.

The others are right, it is a lot of work - make sure he is aware of that but beyond that leave the decision to him. Whether he ends up enjoying it or not it will be a learning experience for him.

[SandyY2K]

Leave him to decide for himself.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Tbh with you. I don't think
"talking him out of it" make any difference.
Especially at that age. I mean I'm 40, and if someone told me. To do or not do something. I do it or not do it out of spite.
It goes back to the fact that. None of us like getting told what to do.
Let him make his own choices decisions and mistakes, and be there to pick up the pieces. If need be.

[pleasemothermay1]

Don't do it my bil has art degree is 28 and still has never had a proper job due to waiting for his art to be discovered


Unless she wants to be a art teacher or therphist then no is a waist of time it's a luxury of the middle class parent I am afraid

What if she wants to do this at a a level Those who are saying drop a subject that's not often how the GCSEs are now a days and

Steer him clear

[somekindofmother]

I was average at art. I took it at gcse. I wish someone talked me out of it cos the course work was insane and it was hard for someone with very little natural talent and it went from something therapeutic and enjoyable to the Bain of my life.

that said I'd have proper resented my parents if they talked me out of it.

[MetalMidget]

If he wants to go into computers and technology, art is going to be more relevant than PE if he can use Photoshop/Illustrator/other digital art applications. Even if it's not, he's obviously chosen art because he prefers it to PE!

I did art at GCSE (and A-Level!) and I now work in the tech industry (and not as an artist!)

[halfacup]

I was determined to let our kids make there own choices at school after being talked out of doing what I wanted by my parents! My daughter did GCSE art and loved it then carried it on to degree level. She finished her degree in fine art last year and is now working in theatre production.. There are actually a lot of artistic jobs about especially for computer related art. Let him make his own choice!

[ollieplimsoles]

I'm a professional artist, studying art at gcse level is not a op out subject, and I isn't a subject you need to be technically amazing at drawing to do well in.

You have to be interested in art and artists, its all about art movements and individuals that shaped art history. We studied fauvism and had to recreate a piece in the style. We also studied art from around the world and had to immerse ourselves in a chosen theme for our final major project.

Studying art at gcse and a level teaches self discipline, hitting deadlines, it aides creative thinking and resourcefulness, improves research skills, broadens world cultural knowledge, and teaches time management skills and project management.

Its a very useful subject to study if you have the drive.

[JT05]

DS1 did Art at GCSE as well as a range of other subjects. It didn't hamper him going to University and studying computing. Now he's a systems architect/ analyst. Creatitvity takes many forms.

[Grannypants1]

I wasn't the best but art was my favourite gcse even though I am much more academic. Gave me a stress free zone and let me use my creativity. Creative thinking is a a really important skill and was a really good addition to my skill set when I joint the real world and followed a more academic route. It has definitely given me an edge over my competitors being able to think outside the box. Let him explore it. It is just one subject of many. Let the kid have a passion. We are all too quick to suck the fun out of something for numbers and boxes checked.

[Ingles2]

You know your son best... Talk him out of it! It's an absolute nightmare!
Ds1 has just done his art gcse.. He is g&t and the teacher managed to persuade him despite that fact he had very little interest in it, and he thought it would be an easy option.
We've had 2 years of constant art homework ruining every weekend, whilst ds1 moaned and groaned his way through it. The amount of work they have to produce is enormous! He got an A* but it made us all miserable and he definitely isn't moving onto a level.
And that is said by an art grad who has worked in an art based career my entire life!

[Mysterycat23]

I took GCSE art, thoroughly enjoyed the break from my academic subjects. It's only GCSE, so long as your DS gets his English and Maths and whichever other academic subjects he needs to progress to the next stage, who cares? I didn't do a single piece of coursework outside of class time btw. Just enjoyed the time in lessons to chill out and be creative, read about famous artists etc.

[yeOldeTrout]

Art IS a great choice for computers/technology.
Visual design is Big Growth Area in games design & indeed in all IT interfaces. Art is an excellent fit.

IT is not all algorithms & data management; DH is a programmer who does the algorithms & data management but he has to rely heavily on the graphic designers; he has huge admiration for their skillset.

[grannytomine]

My advice is don't try to influence their choices. We encouraged DD to do drama, she did lots of subjects we thought would be hard work and thought drama would be more fun. She got all A and A* with the exception of ....................drama. She always blames us for duff advice that spoiled her results. Learn from my mistakes although to be fair I don't think one B is the end of the world.

[MoonStar07]

Please please let him do it. We do not feed our creative side enough nowadays leading to a LOT of mental health issues . YABU

[BlurtonOnKites4eva]

Art is a much better choice if he wants to go into Computer Science or some Technology based than PE. You don't have to be a good drawer to be good at art.

[catslife]

There are careers such as web site design where knowledge of both Art and computers are useful. You don't have to be great at drawing and pupils have can use a variety of different techniques including drawing using computer software for their coursework.
Please don't choose options for him - my DH was in this position and is still resentful 30 years later!
It also depends on how many options the pupils can choose (more subjects are compulsory these days) and how the subjects are arranged in blocks as to which subjects pupils can put down as their options so they may not be able to choose exactly what they would like. If say computer Science and Art were in the same option block which one would he choose?

[PikachuSayBoo]

Dd is going into yt 11 and doing art. She's average and is predicted a C. But she loves it. She's enthusiastic and has spent ages this holiday doing stuff for her portfolio. She's not upset by the fact she's predicted a C and isn't struggling in any way.

[imwithspud]

Sorry Please but I disagree, GCSE Art is not a waste of time and there are many potential career paths after taking the subject at GCSE and A-Level, not just teaching and therapy as pointed out by many other posters.

I also agree that Art can compliment computer science well. I remember using photoshop to edit a photo to put in my final portfolio too.

Just because a subject isn't academic doesn't mean it's not worth studying.