Developing self-understanding in adolescent boys through high school drama classes
Date of Graduation
Spring 2002
Degree
Master of Arts in Theatre
Department
Theatre and Dance
Committee Chair
Robert Bradley
Abstract
Boys suffer from a higher rate of violence, academic failure and covert depression. Better self-understanding is the first step in increasing emotional intelligence, and may be the best solution in improving boys' rate of success in all areas. High school drama classes can serve the important function of helping adolescent boys develop self-understanding. Students go through psychosocial steps to identity achievement such as social comparison and self-observation through active participation in drama class standards. The nature of the activities fits well into boys' natural learning style, leading them to explore areas in which they might not normally have opportunity. In this paper, I will review psychologists' findings regarding boys' socialization, developmental possibilities inherent in drama activities that benefit self-understanding, and how drama classes can and should be stuctured and led.
Subject Categories
Theatre and Performance Studies
Copyright
© Kathleen Day
Recommended Citation
Day, Kathleen, "Developing self-understanding in adolescent boys through high school drama classes" (2002). MSU Graduate Theses. 2873.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/2873
Dissertation/Thesis
