“High school drop outs seldom have a good standard of living. Yes, occasionally it happens, but not for the majority of cases.”
My father was a high-school dropout. Dropped out after grade 10 at the age of 17 to join the Navy, which my grandparents had to sign off on. But then he met my mother, got married, and she got pregnant with me (not necessarily in that order, LOL, but close enough). Anyway, then he started working hard, working his way up to Petty Officer, first class, while also getting his high school equivalency. Apparently he did something right, because he applied for and was able to get a commission from the ranks.
But that’s a fairly exceptional story. In this day and age, not finishing high school is pretty much the kiss of death for employment.
“Apparently he did something right, because he applied for and was able to get a commission from the ranks.”
Your dad’s story IS exceptional. He put his life on the line when he joined the Navy and also worked hard to rise from the ranks. You had an exceptional father.