RateItAll: The Opinion Network

the only reason why a diploma is so important is because everyones been conformed and follows when were listening to a bunch of hypocrytes. education isnt everything unless your that secular

It sure is not going to be a stepping-stone to wealth in your future!

For the middle America who someday aspires to a career inside the cubicle, I'd advise to stick around for high school. It's a good place to find the status quo. And if you plan on a life in that middle (We're America, dammit. Our middle is niiiice.), by all means, stay in school. That's where a high school diploma is black and white, I suppose. And the middle is the standard for most people, I guess. But I wish I'd had the initiative, or the ambition, the boldness, maybe the wrecklessness, to take the road less traveled. I'm using my high school-college ticket on that wide paved road just now, and I wouldn't mind finding a new path. Are you really having the time of your life on it? For your sake, I guess I hope so. Because somewhere along the way, maybe I learned it in school, I heard we just get one of these life things.

Not everyone that dropout of shcool is a loser who doesnt care about life. I almost dropped out of school to get a full time job and put some money in my moms hand. besides even if you do drop out you can still be successful alls you need is your GED and you can be on your way to college just wish it was easy as it sounds.

not always the greatest thing to do. I would not reccomend it. I have known people who have done this. some go on to get their GED and do fine. others just open up a life of screw ups with their start ups and quitting. really depends on the individual and their determination.

Not saying it's even remotely smart, but it doesn't suggest that the person is automatically in the "lower to working class". Statistically, yes, drop-outs occur at higher rates in this group, but it doesn't automatically mean that ONLY these groups have drop-outs.

Dropping out of school is never a wise thing to do, but it doesn't necessarily doom you to a life of asking if you want fries with that. In fact, I've known several people who managed to avoid that and very well. One worked her way into a very nice position in a pharmaceutical company, another became the president of a company, and one eventually became a lawyer. It's not the falls we take - it's how we recover.

Coming soon to mom's basement near you!

Usually a result of poor upbringing, poverty, learning disabilities, and/or being picked on in school. However, this can be detrimental when it comes to job hunting because the majority of employers want someone with a high school diploma or at least a GED.

Almost anyone can move through the high school process and do what's needed to receive a diploma, but let's not forget about those who have a harder time of it for more-sinister reasons. You know 'em (or at least you thought you did); trying their best to hide in broad daylight, too afraid to advertise their presence in the middle of the corridor, but too smart to be caught on either side where they could be pulled into a bathroom and beaten by the power cliques that still rule this country's school system. If you don't think this is still ongoing, then you've successfully fooled yourselves. I've been fairly active in the "Drop-Out Initiative" for many years, helping kids get away from these damaging situations so that they can get their GEDs and move on to bigger and better times (the explosion of online coursework has been nothing short of spectacular). Also remember that a college degree doesn't necessarily cement one's feet in prosperity; I've got a metalurgist buddy who's frying doughnuts (not quite the rocks he thought he'd end up playing with), and too many friends with Masters stuck as filing clerks and receptionists. Education means jack-diddly without a place to use it. Thankfully, the stigmas attached to "dropping out" are lessening and being replaced with customized solutions to better serve those who've needed it for far too long.

I dont think that high school dropouts are not going to succeed in life, and be 19 years old with 5 kids having their baby daddy supporting them. Its a stereotype. My brother dropped out of high school, and got his GED after 6 years of being out. He went to school for auto mechanics. After being a auto parts driver at a well known dealership, he now has a career as a forklift technician. He doesnt have any kids. After being in the real world, i dont think it matters if you have a high school diploma or not. Not having a high school diploma makes you look bad, but everyone has jobs, and works from paycheck to paycheck. Career or not! Looking back on my life, i did not have the most developed mind at 17 years old. I think you have some growing up to do Cait2040!

No diploma, no job in a lot of fields that actually can make some money. Also, you won't get promoted in jobs you can land without a diploma until you get one or test out for the GED. Education is the key to a career, instead of a dead-end job that sucks and just barely can make ends meet on a good week. Some of the really good stuff needs college now, and not just a HS diploma or GED. Get educated, and if you can't afford it, spend the time and money to send in an FAFSA and get some government money to help.

The old days of being a high school dropout and a millionaire are over. If you drop out of high school, you are doomed to a life of poverty.

Dropping out of high school is pretty bad, I mean if you should at least finish your public education. Average High School dropouts earn far less than high school gradutes. So most dropouts become drains on society.

Not really. Anyone can drop out of high school, especially if they have the money or "side jobs" to survive. Does anybody really value education in America anyway? If you're smart enough, you can make it legitimately nowadays. I'm finding it helps more to make do for yourself rather than rely on your education to get ahead now...I'm suppose if you're desperate enough, you're willing to do anything. BTW, if you can't do the bare minimum to graduate from high school, I'd worry about you. It's scary.

This is probably a good indication that an individual is not going to go very far in life, especially if they never go back. It is a proven fact that the vast majority of dropouts end up being perpetually poor, so it would be appropriate to list them under this category.

Logically, it must be so. While there certainly are different reasons people drop out of high school, the fact is that not graduating makes it that much more difficult to break through the obstacles one faces on a road to being upper middle class or wealthy.

We can use specific examples of certain people who made it without a high school education, but data suggests that a vast majority of people who do not complete high school are generally stuck in dead end jobs. Some can grab themselves by the bootstraps and make something of themselves, but that is more the exception than the rule.

Not necessarily. Dave Thomas (Wendy's) dropped out of high school and he didn't do too badly for himself.

Dropping out of high school definately assures you of a life of minimum wage, if you work at all.

The dumbed down stardards and the fact that the rich can buy a college degree make this one very low class.

Dropping out of high school definitely ends your career of upward mobility. Some people snap out of it and get a GED and move on. Many don't.