Taking Away from the Arts and Adding Health Requirements

            In an attempt to address the rising epidemic of childhood obesity, Florida legislature and activists have proposed to take away the amount of electives a student in secondary school can choose and add a health education requirement. Such proposition has negative and positive effects in the long run. Obviously, the health of the students would improve over time, but this is at a much greater risk: decreased academic success. Why? Because music and other arts have a strong correlation with many academic subjects taught in the schools. One might ask, “why is it that most of the students enrolled in more advanced courses are the ones in the music, dance, art, and/or theater classes?” They simply, at a subconscious level, apply their art form to their academic work. If the students are deprived from the arts classes then there will be a chain of effects that trickles all the way down to society itself. The negative effects of not having arts courses are crucial to the outcome and success of our next generation.

            This chain of negative effects begins with, as mentioned, academics. Studies have led to believe that music, in particular, has been a crucial element in brain development and function. It has many psychological and physiological effects. For example, one study showed a strong link between how the brain perceives rhythm in music and the meaning of words in a sentence. In a musical phrase, rhythm would represent the language of the music and give it meaning (Thaut, pg. 3). In a sentence, the words are what give meaning to the sentence. “The brain has neural activity that is dedicated to music. Music is associated with a specific yet complex brain architecture. Sensitivity to music plays a critical role in the development of all children regardless of the presence or absence of later artistic achievement” (Thaut, pg. vii). Since music is crucial to the development of the brain, then it is something that should be emphasized in the school curriculum in order to have more well-rounded and advanced students. If students are exposed to such courses more often then their test scores could improve in reading and in math as well (www.flmusiced.org).

            Now, are grades and academic achievements the most important thing here? Aren’t we talking about the health of the students? How can arts electives address that issue? In a typical marching band class, most of the rehearsal time is spent outside on the field marching. In a dance class, the students are constantly moving, running, jumping, etc. Those in drama classes have to learn how to dance and move with agility as well in order to succeed in the art. Students in choir, orchestra, and art might have less physical activity in the classroom, but if this is the case then they can be enrolled in after school activities like sports in order to make up for a lack of physical activity during the day. Although there are other many as to why obesity is becoming a rising epidemic, physical activity is the main reason as to why so many children and adolescents are becoming obese. According to Koplan, Liverman, and Kraak, obesity is due to a number of causes, which include reduced physical activity at the school itself, in addition to other factors mentioned in the following:

“Childhood obesity is complex because it has biological, behavioral, social, economic, environmental, and cultural causes, which collectively have created over decades an adverse environment for maintaining a healthy weight. This environment is characterized by:

·       Urban and suburban designs that discourage walking and other physical activities.

·       Pressures on families to minimize food costs and acquisition and preparation time, resulting in frequent consumption of energy-dense convenience foods that are high in calories and fat.

·       Reduced access and affordability in some communities to fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods.

·       Decreased opportunities for physical activity at school and after school, and reduced walking or biking to and from school.

·       Competition for leisure time that was once spent playing outdoors with sedentary screen time—including watching television or playing computer and video games.” (Institute of Medicine, page 320).

The health of our future generation isn’t the only thing at stake here. Childhood obesity can lead to a lack of self-esteem and confidence. The lack of such qualities can only hold the student back from taking charge of their future. How can the arts courses address this issue without having to change the current curriculum? Music, for example, could help improve on such cases. Music helps develop group/social skills, which are crucial for any job the students might pursue in the future. It also helps develop brain function even further. For example, a study that compared brain activity while singing and brain activity while only speaking showed that brain function is higher when singing in both hemispheres of the brain (Bangert, pg. 181). This supports the fact that music, in particular, helps physically. As we head into a future that requires the best, the most creative, the smartest, and most confident people in order to advance our society we need our students to take these arts courses in order to be exposed to creativity and culture that will help them become more successful leaders tomorrow.

If the bill is not amended we will eventually have smarter, more cultured, and creative leaders, businessmen and women, teachers, etc… If the bill is amended we will eventually have healthier people in our society with longer life expectancies. Based on the studies, the arts are basically part of our structure where specific parts of our brains are dedicated to such things in particular. Which side should we pick, smart or healthy? It is up to the Florida Legislature to decide on that and how the constituents influence them.