My 14 year-old son is about to make his final subject choices for next year's courses. He really isn't sure whether or not to take drama. It is his preference but he is worried because he is not particularly good at it - he isn't very confident in performance work or acting. We want to support whatever decision he makes, but he is finding it very hard to decide.
Teacher Adam Conway replies:
Let me declare my position straight away: I'm not a drama teacher, but I believe drama is one of the most important and valuable subjects taught in any school.
It is clear that you as parents are leaving the final decision to your son, which makes it far more likely he will make the right choice - eventually.
It is really hard to see your own child struggling to make a big decision: you want to help, but you can't make that decision for him and he may even resist your advice or become even less sure the more you try to discuss pros and cons with him, seeing your attempts to help as adding pressure on him.
The first thing to say is that almost every student choosing courses from a range of available options will have doubts and is likely to have to rule out a subject that seems attractive or valuable,
If your son does choose drama it doesn't mean that he, or you, are rejecting any of the alternatives. Many teenagers and their families can become very anxious, worrying that college or career decisions need to be made very early and further plans may be fixed, or even limited, by subject choices now.