When it comes to determining whether sixteen year olds
should be allowed to drop out of high school, there are many factors one should
take into consideration. One has to consider why the child is dropping out of
high school at that young of an age, what the child is going through, and is
the work too hard for the child to understand. The reason as to why the child
drops out of high school doesn't really matter, the child should not be allowed
to drop out of high school at the age of sixteen. There is help everywhere
around, one just has to take advantage of it. A sixteen year old should not be
allowed to drop out of high school at the age of sixteen because it will
negatively affect them in so many different ways. Fewer job opportunities,
poverty, unemployment, and an inability to advance are things that the child
faces if they drop out of high school at the age of sixteen.
Teens that drop out of high school
are more likely to have fewer job opportunities. In regards to the
disadvantages of dropping out of high school, Barbie Carpenter remarks that “most
entry level jobs require at least a high school diploma, if not a college
degree”.2 Students that do not graduate from high school, will have
fewer job opportunities because most jobs require a high school diploma. Jobs
are looking for those with high school diplomas because that states that they
have conquered the basic math, reading, and concepts needed to start at a job.
Although just a high school diploma will not get you very far, although it's a
start.
A teen with no high school diploma
in this society will not survive financially. When discussing sixteen is too
young to quit school in the new economy, Beth Nakamura asserts, “to reduce unemployment,
social problems, and poverty, more people need more schooling”.5 Poverty
is something that the teen will face if a high school diploma or college degree
is not obtained. In order for one to make it in the today’s society, money is
something needed. A sixteen year old who grows up with no sort of degree will
risk not ever having a job. No job soon leads to poverty and other social
problems. This includes not being able to buy food, house, clothes, basically
the main things needed to survive. This is no life a teen growing as an adult
would want to live. A high school diploma is very important. It's a start to
help one get on their feet and get a job. This is why teachers, parents, and
adults press children to at least finish high school if they don't do anything
else because they know what the child would face if a high school diploma is
not attained.
The rate of high school dropout
varies and changes each year. In regards to, high school dropout rates, the
author remarks that, “The percentages of male dropouts are higher than
females”.3 Primary reason is because males are more likely to get
caught up in the streets or other activities that would prohibit them from
finishing high school. Females are more dominant in the society that we live in
today. More of the males in today’s society are getting caught up in unnecessary
things and activities outside of school which causes them to not be as
successful as they should be. Society needs more males who are dominant so that
they could lead the upcoming generation and show other males how to do right in
life and be successful.
Sixteen year old who drop out of high school have
an inability to advance in the workforce and economy. When discussing what
parents do to stop high school dropouts, Maggie McCormick asserts that,
“Dropping out of high school is likely to decrease one’s jobs prospects and
earning potential throughout their life”.4 If a child drops out of
high school and gets a job at a local McDonald's that pays minimum wage, the
child doesn't have any other option but to work their because they have not
graduated from high school yet. Jobs like McDonald's allow students who are
still in high school to work their so a student who drops out of high school
can get by. The chances of a sixteen year old who drops out of high school
chances are short of being able to work at a high level, or good paying job. Those
types of jobs require a high school diploma or college degree. That teen will
not be able to advance unless they go back for more schooling to earn a high
school diploma or college degree. There are also other options to get schooling
other than a public or local school. Parents can think of alternative schools
or homeschooling. There are more options but the parent and child have to be
willing to take such steps to ensure that a high school diploma is obtained. This
society needs more successful women and men. It benefits the economy and
themselves.
Many may say that there is nothing wrong with dropping
out of high school at the age of sixteen. When discussing is dropping out of
high school as bad as society says it is, Hunter Bliss asserts that “school is
a place where you are taught what “box” to think in, and it is very obvious
that it doesn't work for majority of the students”.1 While
disagreeing, students are only taught the basic math and reading skills in high
school to prepare them for the real world and college. All students do not
think inside of a box but also thinks outside of the box because that’s what
makes them different and unique. It also gives the students the ability to
advance because they are not just thinking inside of the box but thinking of
other ways to solve problems or work around certain situations. This allows the
child or student to advance more in life because they are not just thinking
inside of the box.
Teens that dropout of high school will face many
difficulties in life such as unemployment, poverty, and failure to advance.
Although these are just a few difficulties they will face, they will also be affected
in the long run. A high school diploma doesn't take one far, but it gives them
a jump start in the job industry. Teens must stay in high school and obtain at
least a high school diploma in order to get a job and succeed as a teenager in
society. Obtaining a high school diploma gives one the ability to apply for
those minimum wage jobs and apply for things like housing. It is not hard to
stay in school and graduate with a school diploma but one must be determined, encouraged
and devoted.
