Adolescents do not realize the severity of an education in the real world. They drop out because they’re tired of waking up early, his/her favorite TV show comes on during school hours or his/her former significant other attends the same school. Unknowingly, these teenagers are ruining their chances of a successful future. Yes, they can go back later and obtain their GED, but why when a high school diploma is free? The long-term effects outweigh the short-term privileges and at the age of sixteen a student isn’t worried about their future, they’re worried about not doing their homework this weekend because of the party Friday …show more content…
Students who drop out of school raise the lack of education and unemployment rates in North Carolina. Studies have shown that a high school graduates income is anywhere from 50% to 100% higher than someone who didn’t complete high school. Increasing the drop out age will increase the graduation rate in North Carolina and better the chances of having an intelligent, wealthy community. Allowing kids to drop out at sixteen is promising to assist them with Obama Care and food stamps in the future, harming our economy. Below is two charts comparing the graduation rate of each state and the legal age to drop out. In the 2012-13 school year, North Carolina’s graduation rate was %82.5. In Nebraska, where the legal drop out age is 18, the graduation rate is %88.5, which is a significant amount of teens with a higher level of education. In correlation, Nebraska has a much higher median annual income than North Carolina. Aside from other social and economical factors, it is evident that each state with a minimum drop out age of 18 has much higher graduation rates. For example, today Thyree Snead is struggling to find a job, taking advantage of food stamps and doesn’t have the money to go back to school for his GED. Increasing the age to eighteen can help decrease this vicious