I really don't know why kids need to stay at school and go onto Uni--unless they want be a Dr or such--we left at 15 and went out to work straight away--and went to tech of a night---I think it is done to keep the unemployment figures down--??

I did not have children however my view on them raising the age for kids to stay at school is this. If a child is having difficulty at school because they are not academically minded ,providing they can establish that they are going into some sort of apprenticeship or pre trade training why make them stay where they are miserable and possibly going to end up causing disruption in the classroom.In spite of technological advancements we will always need people in jobs that do not need a science degree. Pride can be taken in any work , whether it is the teal lady in an office, the cleaner at the train station, the dishwasher in a cafe, if they enjoy what they are doing and are good at it , why not?I think there is one thing more important that needs changing is the mindset at centrelink, this is probably brought about by the way the politicians set up the rules , however not everyone going for benefit help there is a bludger and they need to stop treating everyone from the first contact as if they are. Some are people who have fallen through the cracks at school and have not been diagnosed with learning problems(and not all are adhd -that is used as an excuse way too much) and may need some sort of assisted learning program along with some basic work.Others because of age and regardless of the rhetoric that comes out of canberra not all employers want to hire older people due to having to pay adult wages, penalty rates etc.So in closing if the child is interested in uni, or is happy to stay at school while trying to decide their course of action , let them stay still 17 however if for any reason they wish to take another reasonable path-including travel in australia-then let them leave or give them the option of doing a cadet ship in the police force or the armed forces but do not make them stay where they are genuinely unsuited.

My grandson, though only just a bit over 14 years old, now has two "clients", for whom he mows lawns. His father drives him to and from the jobs, and really, helps him out when he needs it. He does have learning problems - probably came within the lowest 5% for maths and English, when they last tested him. He is a good young teenage boy, but really not too bright.. I doubt he would ever be able to complete any sort of apprenticeship. But then again, he does have a very helpful and helping attitude, He's hoping that in less than twelve months, he may get a job at the local pizza, chicken or burger place. I'm not sure that he could even manage that. My son does realise that he has a child, who may never leave home, and he is prepared for that. He loves his son, and he is prepared to help him for as long as he lives. But to get back to the point - why is 17 the magical age? Is something supposed to happen to these children, just because they reach that age?

Good on your Grandson Bev--attitude is very important--and I am sure that if he shows willingness he will do as well as he can--yes I am not sure what it is with this age of 17--some kids now what to have a --year off to travel the world --at their parents cost--which as I have seen with a few friends that I have that have indulged their kids--it really does not set up a good work ethic at all.



Yes we do need people to do all types of jobs--and we could never get away with out the people that do washing up and other --so called menial jobs--I have had these type of jobs myself as fill ins and it is hard work--but at least I had a job.

He is a good boy - never gets into fights - he walks away. He is now at a Christian community school - which costs my son $11,000 per year. Simply because he was teased - bullied so much, at the government/ public schools, so much so, that he came home every day, simply just crying. It was worth it to my son to build his esteem - and it has. These days, he goes to school, he's greeted with "hello, glad to see you are here". Of oourse his education hasn't advanced too much, but he is accepted as a part of a community, and that has raised his self esteem so much. I remeber, when he was just a year younger - he was given the task of cutting up the branches that my son had cut down - he didn't do it well, but he tried, and I was proud of him, He did the best he could.

BevG That is my point , not all children are academic and if your son is willing to fight to get the money to send your grandson to a school that will accept him for what he is and for what he can do then bloody good on them both. As a help financialy has your son asked his family doctor (if he has one)if your grandson would fit into any sort of disability catagory so that the family may be able to get financial assistance (not drugs) to continue sending him to that school. Also has the school got any scholarships that they may be able to ask about or other programs in place that will ease the financial burden. Have they spoken to centrelink to see if they are eligible for anything. Another avenue would be to firstly contact their local state politician to see if they know of anything, then contact the local federal politician. Also why not contact some of the community groups such as Lions, Rotary, local business associations and see if they have any sort of help that can be given. With the obvious willingness of your grandson to at least try and do what work he can and be as independent as possible you never know if you do not ask and it is not demeaning to do so , we all need help in our lives at some time.As far as your son knowing your grandson may never move out of home, that is not such a big deal there are lots of people whose kids do not move out until their late 20's or even into their thirtys and who is to say that your grandson may not meet a girl who is quite happy to do the household/day to day business stuff that your grandson can not do.In closing may I wish all of you the best for the future and i think some of the other young ones could not do worse than to take a leaf out of your grandsons book in relation to giving it a go.