Poll: Should kids be allowed to drop out at 16?

[DalekJaas]

Yes, I was in a clan, and some guy was in it who dropped out of year 12, and all he did was play games. Wasting the best year of your life dropping out then, you miss senior camp, senior overseas trip (New Zealand usually - I'm in Aus), Senior Formal (or put an a ridiculous american accent and say PROMMMMM) and schoolies week. Well you can still go to schoolies, but the point stands!

 

[Twilight_guy]

No. For one, a person isn't legally an adult until they are 18 so why should they get any rights at 26? Their parents are still responsible for them so they should have the say. For two, I honestly believe that people are all stupid until they hit a certain age(usually after puberty) where they start thinking straight(er). At 16 a person is still usually not wise Enoch to make such a large decision for their self.

 

[punkrocker27]

Yes. It weeds out all the stupids so the real people who care can get an education.

this

 

[Project .hack]

No, I had to suffer my way through high school, so should they.

 

[Ziadaine_v1legacy]

Yes, I believe that it's fine because in Australia we have other jobs for them. Trades and stuff, not to say I'm ganna drop out when I can.

you kidding? In NSW at 19 I can't even land a job! heck, I know people aged between 16-21 who have been stuck unemployed for a year now because employers are setting the bar so high, they cant find anyone to fill the position, then they close down because of understaffed. Australian Employers are idiots, along with CenterLink, Hand-in-Hand. >.<

 

[orangebandguy]

There's no use keeping them at a place they find unhappy is there? They'll only bring everyone else down.

 

[DemonicVixen]

To be honest i hated school due to bullying but loved my lessons. I would have tried so much harder if it wasn't for stress and constant absences due to frequent panic attacks brought on by the trouble i had. I used to a fairly bright kid who studied hard. I didn't mind not having friends because i had my work to do. Now i wish i had been able to do better and enjoy my days in school. Even at 18 i can see why adults say school is the best time of your life. Strangely i did like school. Just not the bullying and harrasment.

I have fought to get where i am now and am happily studying Games Development and loving each day. It also helps that my only friend in college is my boyfriend so that kinda makes sence. I still continue to be a loner and always will be, i have only one best friend and a handfull of other minor friends. I am content and happy with this. My education is looking up and im hoping to beat the bullies by proving i can win eventually. Though its a pity i have taken the longer and more difficult path.

 

[Chrissyluky]

i dont like school nobody really LIKES school that much do they? the big crowds the homework its no fun but dropping out at 16 i have to say is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. if you dont get a highschool diploma you best be getting a ged or your going to have a very difficult time finding a job that pays semi well.

 

[Casual Shinji]

When they're 18 they can do what they want, but untill then "FALL IN F*CKING LINE".

 

[MelziGurl]

Yes, I believe that it's fine because in Australia we have other jobs for them. Trades and stuff, not to say I'm ganna drop out when I can.

you kidding? In NSW at 19 I can't even land a job! heck, I know people aged between 16-21 who have been stuck unemployed for a year now because employers are setting the bar so high, they cant find anyone to fill the position, then they close down because of understaffed. Australian Employers are idiots, along with CenterLink, Hand-in-Hand. >.<

I understand where you're coming from, I found it very difficult getting work after school. But, as an employer I can tell you that most places just don't have the capacity to take on more staff. Also, if you're not trying to 'sell yourself' in a way that makes the employer think, "Shit! That person may well be suited for what we want", then they are just going to give you a once over and never think about you again. Most places will also say they require experience, but as I said if you sell yourself the right way they will consider training you up from scratch. My advice though(mind you I was out of work for a month and financially desperate), do what I did and apply for anything and everything online (Jobseek etc). I had a mass of phone calls and managed to land a job where after only a year I made it to Store Manager. Also, look for companys that are still expanding.

But honestly, with the way things are at the moment you can't simply pass all the blame on the employers and I've never had issues with CentreLink so meh. You're either doing something wrong in your application process, the company doesn't have capacity for anyone or they could just be downright arseholes. Without trying to offend you, I would re-access the the way you're going about things yourself before passing blame on others. I have had experience in everything you have mentioned, a good 5 years on yourself as well.

 

[Skeleon]

You know, I think they should be allowed to.
I don't think they should drop out - in their own interest - but it certainly shouldn't be mandatory to stick around beyond a certain point.

 

[IckleMissMayhem]

Look at Bill Gates.

/thread

 

[Docjrag]

I want to say I'm disappointed in these responses but to be honest I'm not surprised.

You shouldn't be able to drop out of school, period. It's not fun and some people can honestly be terrible but there's always other options. It's true when people say that we're gradually getting more and more stupid as the years go by, and to be honest there's a lot of things to blame.

Then again, the kids that usually drop out are often terrible people who make it more difficult for those of us who want to learn, so if you want to make room for my type then I guess it'll just put me further ahead in the end.

EDIT: and as the above poster mentioned, dropping out doesn't mean the end of life, but to be honest more times than not it will not be helping anything in the slightest.

Agreed. I'm not sure I have ever heard anyone say "Man, I can't wait to go to school today!" But, its a right of passage. It affects a lot more than one would think. Yes, you don't get a diploma that majority of "decent" jobs require but, you don't get the social aspect of it either. I don't believe that "school isn't for everyone" jazz. Everyone can benefit from an education. IMHO of course.

 

[Lt. Vinciti]

Let them.
It's your future and if you wanna go die in a gutter or drop the soap in prison then so be it.

 

[Shoes]

t without an informed public we get.... well fox news

/epic win

 

[Hallow'sEve]

16 years olds think Twilight is cool, so they're obviously incapable of thinking logically, hence the need to be in school.

 

[chronobreak]

Look at Bill Gates.

What about him, he graduated high school and enrolled in Harvard, I believe.

t without an informed public we get.... well fox news

/epic win

This is completely irrational and has nothing to do with the subject matter of the thread. I see absolutely no win here, just an opportunity for a cheap pop.