As a kid, I was among the many who wondered why I was required to continue forward with years of tedious math and science when I didn't understand either one no matter how many times it was explained to me. I didn't understand why students who excelled in those subjects didn't have to suffer through a subject like music or theatre like I had to with math and science.
In our society, it's acceptable that some people aren't musical or theatrical, but the second you can't handle math, you're deemed as less intelligent than those who can. If you're "not a math person," you're looked down upon by those who are, and it's made known. Whereas, when you're not excelling in the arts, it's just that you have other talents.
There is such a double standard in our academic system. Educators see the arts lower than they see the sciences. In college, there are numerous people who castigate those in the arts majors, saying that we have no right to say our material is as difficult as theirs. While I agree they're not exactly up to par, I don't think they should be diminishing the talent, time, and effort that goes into the arts, especially considering how integrated they are into our society.
Lately, arts programs are being cut in elementary, middle, and high schools because they need the funds for something "more important." Oftentimes, it's to compensate for special science programs or because they can't hire a teacher to teach the course. This is unacceptable because for some students, programs such as band, art, and theatre are what they look forward to. It also gives them a sense of belonging and helps to boost their self esteem. If students who are more geared towards logic and reason are able to feel a sense of belonging when they take their advanced courses, artistic students should be able to have at least a course that focuses on their talents.
Although it may seem "unreasonable" to require students take classes that were once electives, I think that everyone should be educated about music and the arts because it is worth learning. There is so much history and culture that stems from works of art, theatre, and music that people should be aware of. Maybe those courses don't have to be graded at first so left-brained students don't have to feel that a music course is bringing their GPA down, even though that happens with those who are right-brained. There needs to be a way to slowly integrate the requirement of the arts from elementary school upwards so that when the next generation grows up, the arts will be as much of a requirement as sciences with no questions asked. By then, it would just be the norm.
