Give your teen the facts. They may not change his mind, but they present a frightening picture.

It’s no surprise that the opportunity for income and a comfortable life increases with the amount of education a person has. But your teen may be surprised to find out that no diploma almost guarantees him a life of just scraping by. Men without a high school diploma, if they can find jobs, typically make just a few hundred dollars per month more than the poverty level. He may be able to afford rent or a car payment. But not both.

For women, the picture is much worse. Women without high school diplomas typically earn incomes about a hundred dollars per month below the poverty level. Forget a car—she won’t even be able to afford a new blouse.

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