Your Child: A Professional Gamer?
TEEN DROPS OUT OF SCHOOL TO PLAY GUITAR HERO FULL TIME: Blake Peebles, 16, is dropping out of high school in order to focus on the video game Guitar Hero full time. Citing his victories in Guitar Hero tournaments, which include “gift certificates, gaming equipment, and chicken sandwiches,” Peebles thinks he has the chops to play competitively and earn money. Top gamers on the competitive circuit can earn up to $80,000 a year, though $25,000 is more common. He has a tutor that provides a private education, and his parents say he’s doing well with the more focused instruction and he now even does his homework without complaint. (newsobserver.com)
What do think of this story? Would you let your teen drop out of school to become a professional gamer? Is it any different than quitting school to play pro sports? What about poker? Or how about modeling? Have your say by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link at the bottom. Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is GAMER. It’s valid until August 22nd.
August 20th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Technically, the guy didn’t really stop his schooling if he’s got a tutor on the side.
But if I had a kid or two, and they wanted to drop out and make some money, I’d let them do so, but only on the condition that they make it up somehow and get their diploma, such as getting a tutor, or return to school when they have a break. At the very least, people should have a high school diploma, but on the other hand, there have been many sucessful people who didn’t graduate. I’m sure though, that for every one successful high school dropout, there are thousands more who are unsuccessful.
Carly’s Note: It’s tough, isn’t it? I remember speaking with Tommy Lee of Motley Crue a few years ago and he dropped out of school one month shy of graduation, but the band was taking off, they needed to go on the road and that was the call he made. He said his parents, who were Greek immigrants who didn’t understand the rock ‘n roll biz at all, weren’t pleased, but it wasn’t long before his earnings were in a completely different stratosphere than theirs. If he had stayed in school, the opportunity might have opened up for another band and he could have missed the boat.
August 21st, 2008 at 9:18 am
No! Once they start making big cash if they want to drop out and still live under my roof then they better be paying for a tutor.
Carly’s Note: I think an education is always valuable in some shape or form, even if you’re not using your math skills and Canadian history knowledge on a daily basis.
August 21st, 2008 at 11:30 am
Depends on the teen. If mature, socially/emotionally well adjusted, and I could afford a tutor, would consider it. With rules. But no to poker or modeling.
Carly’s Note: The thing is, you can pursue your pro poker dream at any point in your life, but most female models are done by 25. The younger, the better in terms of career longevity and earning potential. I’m not trying to change your mind, just stirring the pot.
August 21st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I think we all have to make our choices and live with the consequences, for better or worse. Only time will tell if he comes to regret it, or if it pays off (either way, there’ll be no shortage of opinions from others about how he is *supposed* to live his life).
It says more about world that a kid (or anyone else!) can make a living playing video games competitively than it does about the individual who elects to make the choice.
But maybe that’s just me.
-S.B.
Carly’s Note: Point taken.
August 21st, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Just wouldn’t want a child to go into modeling, period. Doesn’t seem to be an industry conducive to healthy personal growth. Would hope I would raise a kid that would put aside gaming after awhile, even if s/he had success professionally.
Carly’s Note: I do see your point, although I think modeling at 16 is somewhat different than modeling at 5. (But as I finished typing that, I was reminded of the Miley Cyrus photos. Hmmm.) To that point, many professional team sports don’t seem conducive to healthy personal growth, either. Sports is such a big business now and many of the athletes, especially the younger ones, get themselves into a lot of trouble because they are being paid more money than they know what to do with. I guess I should just count my lucky stars that I had a “normal” childhood.