Can the Expressive Arts Help Deter Teen Delinquency?

Teens at risk might benefit from a different focus in a positive direction. The expressive arts, including creative movement, visual arts, music, drama and writing, have the power to inspire personal growth and strength, according to the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association. Expressive arts might even deter teens at risk of delinquency.

  1. Nonverbal Expression

    • Teens at risk of delinquency might struggle with overwhelming perceptions, emotions and feelings. Left unexpressed, negative feelings can lead to negative actions and behaviors. If adolescents experience difficulties with recognizing, communicating and expressing emotions, creative arts can facilitate nonverbal expression, according to authors of ̶0;Treatment of Child Crime Victims.̶1; In the creation of expressive art, such as music or a drawing, the youngster might access strong and relevant feelings. The finished creation might provide a sense of conquering adversity and prevailing with a powerful outcome.

    Benefits of Art

    • When kids find a creative focus, a number of benefits can ensue. Adolescents often improve academic performance, their self-esteem rises and they learn new skills such as responsibility, tenacity and self-discipline. Youth who find a passion in art might also improve literacy and articulation skills, according to ARTreach, a nonprofit art educational outreach center. The general benefit of creating expressive art involves the evolution from an immature youth to a well-rounded, strong person capable of contributing positively to society.

    Teaching and Mentoring

    • An effective way to incite a youngster̵7;s interest and excitement about art involves professional artists teaching and mentoring to young people, according to ̶0;The Power of Art,̶1; published by The California Endowment. The mentoring relationship can involve working on special long-term projects that not only teach skills but build an important emotional connection between the at-risk youngster and the professional mentor.

    Finding a Passion

    • The opportunities for finding and choosing an art passion can be virtually endless. As a teen explores various kinds of expressive art, the process facilitates exploration of himself and how he relates to the world around him. He learns fascinating details about different cultures and ethnicities, enabling him to choose where he fits in this schematic. Finding a passion in expressive arts gives a teen a perspective of humanity, which often helps ground him because of an increased responsibility and obligation to others.

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