(Art is responding to Nicole’s letter… other links going backward in this chain: Art’s letter, Lizzie’s letter, Art’s original advice. – Alan)

Hey, come on.  No disrespect intended toward anyone, no attitude, and please give me the benefit of the doubt.  Obviously, there is a misunderstanding.
 
My initial remark was to always finish what you start.  I did not pick Lizabeth; your web site picked her when I tried to write a comment.  My remark was for everyone.
 
Regarding the respect, “woaaa Art”, and attitudes…  do we really need to do this?
 
To live alone you will need a job, but there is that pesky diploma again.
 
There are many men supported by women just as there are many women supported by men.  In addition, not to leave anyone out, there are other non-traditional relationships where one chooses to support their partner in the relationship, or is supported.  If the relationship ends, unfortunately over 50% of traditional marriages do, one person may not be prepared to support them self.  Since I was addressing Lizabeth, I gave a generic male female example.  Without a diploma or GED the statistics don’t look good for Lizabeth finding a job, so I thought that there would be someone else paying the rent, the car, the insurance, the phone, lights, and heat, groceries, etc.  How is Lizabeth going to earn enough money with no diploma?
 
If I were writing a guy instead of Lizabeth, I would think someone else would be paying the major portion of the living expenses, like a GF.  Parents would probably kick him out of the house at 18 - 21.  What is he going to do after that?  Flip burgers?  That sounds like fun to me, happiness?
 
What is wrong with Nursing?  I considered going back to school to be a Nurse and I have a Brother-In-Law who is a Nurse.  There are many male nurses.  Furthermore, the way the economy is going, tertiary level jobs - ‘service’ type jobs, is about all that America has for work nowadays, and among the highest paying jobs is Nursing.  Also, the Baby Boomers generation is getting old and needs health care, so there will be many health care jobs.  Some Nurses make more money than Doctors do.
 
How is she or he going to be a Doctor or a Nurse without first getting a High School diploma or GED?
 
America does not manufacture very many products as we used to and jobs dealing with raw materials are very rare.  The service Industry employs America, and Health Care is the future.
 
I thought you were dropping out for real, not just bypassing High School through some alternative route, and going on to a higher-level two year Community College or college education.  Dropping out at 16 to me means that is the end of school.  So, are you dropping out for real?  I want to talk to a drop out, and talk them out of dropping out, not discuss your biased attitude toward Nursing.
 
Yes, it is too about money!  You cannot get a decent job without a HS diploma or GED.  HS dropouts are the highest percent of the unemployed.  How are you planning to be happy with no money?  Your parents are going to get tired of you hanging around the house very fast.  Are you ‘entitled’ and planning on living off of the taxpayers?  It is not fun having the government in your business making you fill out endless papers!
 
Life can be easier with money.  Look for yourself at the type of jobs you can get with no diploma.  There are exceptions.  Your family could have a business and you could be set for life, but the majority of people do not have that.  They need to work for a living, to pay their bills, and a nice income helps make it easier to have happiness. :)   – Art