As a boy mom, I get it. When the kids were little, we'd paint or color - and the mess was fantastic (sometimes in a good way; other times, not so much). My kids LOVE to create. They would build, paint, color, use chalk - you name it, they did it.
ENTER: Sports.
They got busy with school and sports and, to be honest, we just stopped making time for art. They still color whenever they can and the truth is: they miss actual art classes. Now, don't get me wrong - girls play plenty of sports, but for some reason, our society seems to think it's okay for girls to make time for and participate in both. Good, bad or ugly: there's less emphasis placed on the arts for our boys, but they need it and LOVE it just as much - sometimes more!
According to our friend Jennifer Bryant at Small Hands Big Art in Waverly, statistically, most children’s art studios see about 50/50 boys and girls in classes for ages toddler through 3rd grade, then a steep decline of boys starts, and when they get to be tweens & teens it is just a small fraction. My kids have been students of Jennifer's for years - but again, they are in Kinder and 2nd Grade.
| "We see so many older boys who come to class but it’s like they are nervously looking over their shoulder the whole time and I can see their brains working like 'OMG! I am not supposed to be enjoying this so much!" ~ Jennifer Bryant, Small Hands Big Art |
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Why do boys stray from art?
Jennifer has a few ideas about why boys tend to stray from art as they age - and while none of this is an exact science, it is definitely something to think about!
- Stereotypes about traditional gender roles and societal influences
- Lack of support from family & friends
- Confusion or fear about what it means if they are “creative” or good at art - fear of being made fun of, fear that these skills won’t be valued or appreciated by their parents
- The perception that if you enjoy sports you can’t ALSO enjoy creative pursuits (so many people mistakenly perceive that you can only be one or the other)
- Biases about “feelings and emotions” - Is art perceived to be more of a feminine pursuit because as a society we’re not comfortable with males expressing feelings and emotions? Remember, boys HAVE feelings, shouldn’t they have just as many outlets to express them?
- Fewer male teachers ~ remember representation matters! So a strong male teacher can really connect with his male students and encourage them to carry on with this passion.
- Lack of understanding or awareness as to the benefits of the creation process ~ art helps develop and refine fine and gross motor skills, self-expression, problem-solving, confidence-building and fostering perseverance. It is therapeutic and calming - which ultimately can help with focus and concentration!
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WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?
1. Be aware of your own mindset and biases, and choose your words carefully. Remember gender biases go both ways - everything we say and do that feeds into the perception that the visual arts are not for boys also creates a counter perception that sports and science (or whatever) are not for girls… Never let your kids hear you say:
- “This is my artistic one” (pointing to daughter) or “This is my soccer player” (point to son)
- “Are there any boys in your classes?” / “Do you have classes just for boys?”
- “Do you have any boy colors?”
2. Lead by example. Come WITH your child to a class! We offer a lot of Pottery Classes where parents are also students and learn and create alongside their kids. Soak up the Charlotte art scene together (museums, murals, etc.), public sculptures and art. Sign Dad & your kids up for Small Hands Big Art's June 18th Father’s Day Pottery Workshop (10am-12pm)
3. Think outside of the box in structuring creative pursuits for your boys - making “forts”, making sculptures from “junk” or recycled materials, setting up experiments at home that involve a mix of art and science
4. Sign them up for an art or pottery class! Even if they aren’t naturally “asking” for that, TRY IT - they may not have any idea about it and just might love it!
At the end of the day, it is so important to remember that being creative doesn’t have to mean just being good at “painting." Jennifer reminded us that "the world around us is filled with the work of creative individuals- video games, technology (all the amazing inventions in the world were sparked by a creative dreamer who conceptualized it and believed it was possible)." She also reminded me that the skills our kid acquire in art transcend the "tangible" - patience, focus and attention to detail in the studio do benefit the kids out of the studio. And remember, even if final product isn’t beautiful, it doesn't mean that the experience wasn’t valuable.
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For more information about Small Hands Big Art's School's Out Camps, mixed media & pottery classes or take-home art kits, visit them on the web, Facebook or email Jennifer at jenniferb@smallhandsbigart.com.
