Now more than ever, I have seen society encourage individuals to do whatever it takes to not feel stress. I see all over social media that cutting anything out of their lives that they do not like is good for them. Unfortunately, this includes school. Now, more than ever, the motivation to complete a degree has decreased because children do not see importance in it. This encouragement to not feel stressed paired with the innovation of “getting rich from home” is especially dangerous. This encourages anti-social behavior and high school drop outs.
What is dangerous about this pair, is that young students feel as if there is no need for their degree. Including a high school diploma. While a college degree is not necessary, a high school diploma is about so much more than academics. Studies have shown that approximately 70% of males without a high school diploma end up in jail at some point in their lives. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 68% of currently incarcerated inmates did not receive a high school diploma. So why is a high school education so important? Discipline. When a child is required to be in an educational institution for majority of the day, they are less likely to get themselves into trouble. While there is still opportunity to break the law in high school, the risk is seriously lowered. Kids are held accountable while in school. They are introduced to a positive group of peers and mentors, and shown many opportunities after they graduate. This coincides with the theory that latch key kids that return home from school without supervision are more likely to commit crimes. At a high school age, children are on the verge of adulthood. Therefore, they are vulnerable to anything that makes them seem any more like an adult or independent. Unfortunately, this does not include graduating high school.
Anti-social behavior is also linked to many criminal activities. While many believe the definition of anti-social behavior is to not like being around people, it is much more complicated than that. Anti-social behavior is actually described as a personality disorder defined as a pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others. This means that an anti-social individual will be able to commit crimes and feel no empathy for anyone that is harmed in the process.
In order to avoid these two things individually and together, children must be encouraged to stay in school. Parents must enforce school attendance, extracurricular activities, and supervise them after school hours. While self-care is important, and anxiety and depression are very real matters, the allowance of seclusion should not be tolerated. If a child seems distant, depressed, or shows signs of being anti-social, then therapy and medical attention is the next step. It is so hard for parents, teachers, and any other guardians to see signs and then react in a positive way, but the best thing they can do for their children is encourage them to finish their high school degree.
Along with the decreased risk in criminal activity and anti-social behavior, a child that gains their high school degree is much more likely to see a sense of purpose and accomplishment in themselves. It creates a special drive of motivation to go on to complete other goals. The funny old saying, “stay in school kids” goes a lot deeper than most realize. We must not, as a society, forget to encourage young kids to complete their most basic education.
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