Does "acting" shape a personality? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

LuV2DreeM · 07-17-2004, 10:23 AM

Had this conversation the other day with my husband about acting and its effect on a person's character.
I think of it as an "art"....just like painting, poetry, etc.
My husband told me that acting is just learning to tell a lie. That sometimes actors are just great at untruths.
I have got to think it's more than that.

But then we hit a point that got me thinking. He said that while a person is developing their personality it is important to differentiate between reality and fantasy. Between fact and fiction.

He thinks that child actors learn to lie at an early age, which my husband thinks can warp the formation of their personality.
Although I stood up for the "art of acting", I also have to admit that I had to agree that a child should learn between the truth and a lie.

My husband said it's just like any other profession, there are "good" and "bad" people in every profession.
He said the good actors can still be good people with a sound character and logical thinking.
But he thinks bad actors (not bad at acting, but bad as a person) use their craft in there regular life off the stage. They "act" their way through life and lie as easily as breathing.

So here is my dilemma:
Is it mentally healthy for a child to "learn" to act (in my husband's thinking "lie") at an early age before they develop their character?

I don't have an answer for that one.
I love to watch good acting, but I don't want kids to develop bad character traits.
I would hope any parent out there thinking of getting their kid into acting wouldn't sacrifice the development of their innocent child for the money acting can make them.
But I've seen money have wierd effects on people and their decisions.

What are your opinions on this subject?

07-17-2004, 10:23 AM	#1
LuV2DreeM Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 20, 2004 Posts: 200	Does "acting" shape a personality? Had this conversation the other day with my husband about acting and its effect on a person's character. I think of it as an "art"....just like painting, poetry, etc. My husband told me that acting is just learning to tell a lie. That sometimes actors are just great at untruths. I have got to think it's more than that. But then we hit a point that got me thinking. He said that while a person is developing their personality it is important to differentiate between reality and fantasy. Between fact and fiction. He thinks that child actors learn to lie at an early age, which my husband thinks can warp the formation of their personality. Although I stood up for the "art of acting", I also have to admit that I had to agree that a child should learn between the truth and a lie. My husband said it's just like any other profession, there are "good" and "bad" people in every profession. He said the good actors can still be good people with a sound character and logical thinking. But he thinks bad actors (not bad at acting, but bad as a person) use their craft in there regular life off the stage. They "act" their way through life and lie as easily as breathing. So here is my dilemma: Is it mentally healthy for a child to "learn" to act (in my husband's thinking "lie") at an early age before they develop their character? I don't have an answer for that one. I love to watch good acting, but I don't want kids to develop bad character traits. I would hope any parent out there thinking of getting their kid into acting wouldn't sacrifice the development of their innocent child for the money acting can make them. But I've seen money have wierd effects on people and their decisions. What are your opinions on this subject?
	__________________ LuV2DreeM