None of this is wrong, but we still need to move forward in life and seek out beauty, knowledge, autonomy, truth, joy, music, cooperation... And I just dont know how to explain all of that to a 15 year old. most people really never even understand what hes already figured out. i literally said this about school in the parent group chat and one of the parents said something like "wow, I had never thought of that"
@dlakelan As someone who was forced thru the higher education system & ended up with a degree that got me absolutely nowhere, I wish I'd figured out what your kid has by the age of 15!
College is optional, now more than ever. If he can BS his way thru high school, I'd say help him focus on developing a) a deeper interest in & knowledge of the things he loves and b) real-world physical skills. I was made to write papers but never taught how to change my own oil or build something out of wood, until I struggled thru teaching myself at a much older age.
Now in my 40's my greatest regret is that I didn't learn more about the actual, material, physical world around me & am rushing to make up for that. Nurture that interest. Teach him, or help him find the resources to learn, practical skills, ways of interacting with & caring for the real world around him – especially as it goes through the chaos of climate change. Fuck college. Trade schools or licensing programs are a way better option. (I didn't get my mariner's license until I was in my 30's – the things I could have done & skills I could have perfected if I'd committed to that earlier are staggering to think about!)
So I'd say, don't push him to "finish" school. Even high school – if he can get a GED (or equivalent, not sure where you're located), then I'd say go for it! Let him develop real skills and pursue what he loves. It will be far more worth it than some bullshit degree that either makes him unemployable or worse, traps him in a career he hates.
And finally, congrats to you & your awesome kid! Most people never have these conversations. He's already ahead of the terrible game.