Over the past few decades， there has been some debate about whether young people should be mandated to remain in full-time education until the age of 18. While there are some valid arguments for this， I believe there is an equally compelling case for allowing more young people to choose their own paths of education or potentially even gainful employment.

On the one hand， there are indisputable benefits to young people remaining in full-time education until the age of 18. Firstly， such an approach of mandatory continued learning would undoubtedly improve the overall quality of the education system. If young people are expected to stay in school for a longer period of time， they will receive better instruction， since teachers will have more time to complete their courses and thus impart a greater depth and range of knowledge. In addition， this approach would likely reduce the prevalence of early pregnancy and risky behavior including drug and alcohol use， as these young people will not have the same freedom and opportunities of their peers who have left school.

On the other hand， mandating young people to stay in full-time education until the age of 18 could also be detrimental for some students. Depending on the individual， some students could become de-motivated after staying in school for such a long period of time. It could also disproportionally penalize those students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have access to the same high-quality educational options as those from more privileged backgrounds. Furthermore， young people who pursue vocations and gainful employment should not be disadvantaged for their desire to develop practical skills， as these are essential in driving the economy.

In conclusion， while some might argue that young people should stay in full-time education until age 18， there is a credible case for allowing more choice and flexibility to the individual in their pursuit of further education or alternative lifestyle. Each scenario should be judged on its own merits， taking into consideration the individual’s needs and goals.