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High School Drop Out Turned Gamer

This story was in the paper a couple of weeks ago. It's about a North Raleigh teen who dropped out of school to improve his Guitar Hero skills. It's gotten a lot of reaction in the gaming and parenting community - since his parents let him leave school (he is being tutored).

Like the story says - it's no different than a child actor or musician leaving school to pursue their craft. The big difference is - this isn't Hollywood and this teen doesn't have a major contract - yet.

What do you think? Would you let your teen drop out of school to pursue their passion? Or would this mean that basically we could shut down all high schools?

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slindenf's picture

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A1Mama's picture
by A1Mama 1 yr. ago.

No way would I ever let my kids drop school to play video games for five hours a day! That said, I think it is a personal choice by the time a kid is a teen, to help that child find his best way in life that he can excel and be happy. Whether that be carpentry, or dance, or automechanics, or theology, the parents job is to help teens develope their talents as a person in society. I think a balance in learning basic skills and information (isn't this what liberal arts college, or highschools aim to do?) is valuable, despite one's individual talent. I know parents of teens who are ranked in the top ten in the WORLD in a skill (not in the country, not in the state, but internationally in the entire WORLD) who fight to balance their kids lives with activities OTHER THAN the kid's talent and passion. Superficially, this seems a smarter plan: to focus on keeping the kid's life balanced. It's important to raise a whole child, regardless of their super talents or interests. But not knowing the Guitar Hero kid or his family, their decision may be a good one. Superficially, and in general, their sounds nutty. Natasha Lukin clearly focused six hours a day on her gymnastics. THe question is, how much effort the parents put in on developing the rest of her as a whole person outside her athletic regimen?

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