My brother just turned eighteen and decided to drop out of school to look for work. He hasn't graduated yet and only has six months left to earn his diploma. I warned him that it would be a bad idea to leave school without a high school diploma. He has so little time left to attend high school and there are so many reasons to finish it. What they don't know are the benefits of having a high school diploma, such as being able to earn more money, have better job security, more career opportunities and further their education. For starters, the number one reason to finish high school is for a higher salary. The salary difference with someone who has a high school diploma averages $550 a week compared to $350 for someone without a high school diploma. This can average around $8,200 more in earnings per year with the Adiploma. Most companies these days don't even hire anyone without a high school diploma or equivalent GED. Without a college degree the average person's wage difference is $10,400, which would mean that person would be living in poverty compared to poverty guidelines. Having a high school diploma can greatly benefit someone's future as they can leave your parents' home and go out on their own, there to learn responsibility and independence. Independence comes from having your own place and the ability to balance your own money. The second reason to finish high school is job security. Nowadays, having a high school diploma can significantly increase your chances of being accepted for a job position. However, this is only the first step. You have to be able to hold down a job to survive in this world we live in. The 2010 statistics indicate that you are the 36%... middle of the paper ......ition that would argue against my position. Some believe they have to drop out of high school to start working, but this plan is harmful and counterproductive because a college graduate will quickly outsell those who drop out. Some may postulate that a difficult family circumstance such as the need to care for siblings or elderly family members warrants their need to drop out of school. Unfortunately, when a situation like this occurs, a family in need does not understand that, in the long run, asking a child to drop out of high school will cost more than hiring a caregiver. The facts show that finishing high school will benefit you more in the long run than dropping out and I know as sure as the sun rises above my head that regardless of your circumstances, finishing high school is the only real option.