Impressive when you also have to factor in that there just aren't many jobs for an 18 year old to make reasonable money. Heck, even after graduating college, I got age discriminated against because I was so young. GUy doing hiring flat out told me "we want someone a little older" I looked him dead in the eyes and said "Older? what does my age have to do with anything? If you want someone more experienced, thats one thing but I know who the other candidates are and I have more experience than they do and better references." I'm sure it was a situation where they thought they couldn't bring a very youthful looking 23 yearold out in front of clients and be taken seriously which was really stupid because this was a computer software reseller. The computer business was built on college dropouts like Bill Gates. Ironically I had been interviewing for another position within the company at the same time and I got it. IT paid better and had far more perks so I had the last laugh.

I don't want to make this sound too political, but I think a big part of the problem is simply that people are having too many kids. Sure, its your right to have kids but people seem to forget that kids are expensive. I'm 35 years old, my gf is 30, we've been together for awhile and will probably marry soon but we are in no rush to have kids and both of us really want to have our lives on solid footing before we bring someone else into the world. Some people have commented as if it's not the parents job to pay for their childs college but I have to disagree. While certainly the child should take an active part in his education, kids don't ask to be born. And while college isn't for everyone, education is and making sure that your child has the tools to successfully take on the world on their own is a big part of that.