I think it's no secret that we live in a society that, especially in high school, glorifies sports. Being on a sports team in high school is the "cool" thing to do. In most high school movies, the love interest that the main character pursues, is the caption of the football team, or some other popular, attractive jock. This type of narrative helps further drive the message that sports players are the best and should be the most sought after.

In no way do I want to offend anyone who plays sports, did play sports, or wants to play a sport. Playing a sport can lead to valuable lessons on leadership and teamwork and playing one can also keeps you active. If you're passion is to play baseball, then go play baseball, that's amazing! Everyone needs something they love and are passionate about. I'm only fed up with all the hype and support sports get in high school when the arts are severely underfunded. What's even worse is when a kid wants to do an activity like theater, and their parents prevent them from doing that.

Growing up, I was lucky to have supportive parents who let me do the after school activities I wanted and didn't try to force me to do anything else. Neither of them had so much as set foot on a stage when they were in high school, they were jocks, but they still let me do drama club.

Putting together a production is a big collaborative project. It's more than just memorizing lines and standing there onstage. We had to come together to bring the scenes in the show alive. We had to help each other and move as one during dance numbers whenever we did a musical. We had to work together to build the set. Sometimes you literally had to trust your cast mates to catch you, depending on what a scene required, and what character you were playing.

So if you are a parent and want to make sure your kid learns the value to working with a team, I promise they will get that experience by being in a show just as much as they would on a sports team.

Another irrational argument I've heard some parents make against why their kid should do theatre, is because they are afraid their kid will want to pursue acting. Now, I understand why some parents might be concerned about their kid wanting to be an actor. It's a tough business to be in, and actors can often fall under the "starving artist" tribe. Parents want their kids to find a job where they'll be financially stable.

Here's the thing, just because someone wants to do drama club in high school doesn't mean they want to make acting their career. Kids play sports all the time with no desire to be a professional athlete.

But perhaps the worst (in my opinion) argument parents make against their kids doing theatre, is when they want to stop their son from doing it because "theatre makes people gay." That is not how sexuality works. If your son happens to be gay, it's because he was born that way, not because being in a production of "the Little Mermaid" turned him gay. Even if he plays basketball, he'll still tell you he wants to kiss guys instead of girls.

Whether your kid wants to do sports or theatre, let them. Their happiness is more important than what you think is best for them. They will grow into the amazing person they are meant to be.