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Would you encourage your child toward an artistic or creative career?

When Jerry Lee Lewis was 9 years old, it became apparent that he was interested in music. He loved to sing and wanted to learn to play the piano. His parents mortgaged their farm to buy him a piano. He took 3 lessons and he then comtinued to learn the piano auto didact. Of course today he is known as a rock and roll singer, country singer and world class pianist.

I guess his parents did the right thing in encouraging him. They were very unusual parents. I can remember from my own childhood how my mother would go off like an atom bomb at the mere mention of my possible pursuit of an artistic career. That is the normal parental reaction. Parents don't want their child to pursue something with failure (at least for most people) built right into it from the start.

So what would you do if your child had an interest in an artistic career? Would you do what most parents do and loudly intensely discourage it? Or would you get the kid a piano or guitar or paint set?
Is there any good reason to encourage a child toward an artistic career?
cherokeepatti · 61-69, F
I bought my daughter a little musical toy one time and she memorized the entire booklet of songs. It was made of plastic and called a Music Maker. They only sold it one year and then I never saw it again. When she got to 5th grade she asked to be in orchestra and I bought her a viola at a local music store. She stayed in orchestra through the first year of high school but her arthritis got so bad it was hurting her to hold her instrument and she wanted to drop out. Even if they don’t make it to a career music is something that can help them with math and art.
hippyjoe1955 · 61-69, M
Buying your kid a piano is encouraging him to pursue a career in music? I didn't know that. I thought it was kind of like buying your kid a pair of ice skates was so the kid could learn the joy of the activity.
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
Artistic includes many things. And the way things are going with automation it's probably one of the few professions left.

Even computer programming now days has artistic aspects.

Just look at any website interface. Looks very artistic doesn't it? 😊
Flowerz · 36-40, F
My dad got me a spraypaint set and I never showed much interest in it. I had one lesson and that was it. I was into ballet but my dad didn't encourage me.

My ex got into nu-skool tatooing. Another thing my dad thought I should do.
Slade · 56-60, M
Jerry Lee and his cousin Jerry Falwell used to look in on and watch the black blues and jazz clubs when they were 10-11 years. They both got drawn in and performing became their life
It's all inbuilt.
Kids should be left free to search for what feels good to them for a good ten years of schooling.
Parents' faith in their kids and their upbringing yields desirable results.
Yes, I would. I believe it's a learning experience and wouldn't worry about them wanting a career in music or art or whatever. Each person has their own path to follow.
MrAboo · 36-40, M
Growing up I sensed artistic careers a dead end and avoided them. My brother is a natural artist and aspiring to be so
DavidT8899 · 22-25, M
Sure,if that was what they wanted and if that is where there talents lay.
InstructHer · 56-60, M
Handel's father forbade him music. He could only take it up at 9 when his father died.
uncalled4 · 56-60, M
Probably not. It's not like it was back in The Killer's day, not even close. Even in 1982 I saw the writing on the wall, and went to school, doing music on the weekends. Nothing tangible ever came of it. I make money but not enough to live on, and my friends who are pros have anxiety disorders from waiting for the phone to ring.
DDonde · 31-35, M
Sure. If they can figure out how to make it work.

 
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