Good at Math= Smart?

 Mathematics is a subject that students either love or despise. I have rarely encountered a student who felt neutral about the subject of math. I have been tutoring students in mathematics for a number of years, and I find it interesting that students determine their 'smartness' on their ability to succeed in math.  Additionally, when students begin to realize that their mathematical abilities have grown, they feel more confident in their other subjects as well. Why is math a primary factor in a students academic confidence?

Now, I pose that question not even knowing the exact answer myself. I can only suggest that perhaps this mentality has developed as a result of its creation by society. When I tell people that I earned a Bachelor of Science, they almost always say, "Wow. Good for you! You must be so smart!" My response to them is that I can't draw or paint whatsoever. My artistic abilities are minimal but you don't often hear someone tell an artist "Wow. Good for you! You must be so smart!" 

Now, I'm not saying that if you are good at math that you're not smart. Certainly some individuals are more mathematically inclined than others. I'm simply suggesting that society redefines the definition of 'smart' and removes math from the equation (see what I did there). 

Perhaps there's more than just society to blame- who knows. All I know is that teachers can play a large role in the academic confidence of students through math because I have witnessed it for myself. So be sure that you're thinking about this when you're teaching math. You aren't just teaching students about how to manipulate numbers- you're encouraging students to become more confident in their abilities which can play into other areas of their lives.