Teenage is a sensitive period of life. In fact, the reasons for teenagers quit school could be more complex than they actually seem on the outside. The future of your teen depends on the academic performances and their all-round development in these early years. But teens quitting school is a stark reality. Teens deal with depression and anxiety, and if left unattended, this can pile up into other major mental health issues that force them to drop out. As a parent, if you are worried about your teen struggling with school or friendships, it could be a smart idea to intervene and help them before they decide to drop out or quit school. If you wish to know some of the major reasons why teens drop out of school, this article is for you.
Why Do Teens Drop Out Of School?
Here is a list of the top eight reasons to the question why do teens drop out of high school:
1. Alcohol And Substance Abuse:
A lot of teenagers leave school and studies owing to drug addiction and substance abuse. Alcohol addiction is also another reason that explains why teenagers drop out of school.
2. Pregnancy:
Owing to the lack of parental supervision and emotional security many teenagers experiment with physical intimacy. Teen pregnancy is another major reason that leads to the termination of studies at a tender age.
3. Loss Of Interest:
There are some teenagers who lose interest in academics owing to several factors. Wealthy kids, belonging to rich families may feel less inclined to complete studies. Some teens may quit studies in order to pursue their passion for art and acting. The lure of fame and money become stronger as popular media greatly influences teenagers.
4. Economic Hardship:
In several developing countries, poverty forces a lot of teenagers to drop out of school. At times, teens who are good students and want to pursue higher studies fail to do so because of economic hardship. Financial compulsions may force them to quit education and take up jobs to support their family. However, they will not be able to work and make a living while attending school, so they drop out.
5. Bullying:
Many teenagers leave school due to factors that sometimes remain mysterious to teachers or even parents. One such reason can be bullying by peers. Students with physical deformities or lack of abilities are often a subject of bullying at school. Such children develop an inferiority complex and eventually drop out of school. Being bullied constantly at school makes the experience unpleasant, uncomfortable, and at times unsafe, so instead, they choose to drop out to avoid it.
6. Sexual Abuse:
Some teenagers even face sexual molestation by teachers. The victim may find it hard to discuss this with others. Such a traumatic incident can take a toll on their academic performance and may make them quit their studies. They may have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and may be triggered by being on school property and seeing that teacher.
7. Special Disorders:
Some children are not handicapped or physically disabled. However, as teenagers they may develop certain disorders like dyslexia or ADHD. Teens who are suffering from these conditions often fail to focus on studies. Sometimes, the underlying problem may go undetected both by the teachers and parents, and the teens may face criticism for their poor performance at school. A lack of empathy and inability to cope with increasing academic pressure may make them opt out of school.
8. Family Problems And Violence:
Sometimes, teens end up bearing the brunt of family violence and divorce. Teens who belong to broken families, often find it hard to focus on studies or pursue higher education.