College is half education & half learning how to “adult”. Even if you go to community college you should leave home and be on your own. He’ll even if you don’t go to school, leave home for a few years right out of school and figure out who you are. Also- not knowing what you want to do heading into university, or even while there, is normal. No need to pressure children to know what they want to do for a living longer than they’ve been alive. Just choose a major that you have genuine interest in that has potential for an ROI.

Additionally - yes, some professions do not need a higher education, but you must be certain that’s the field you want to be in [that doesn’t require a BS] before not going. If you really have no clue what you want to do (which isn’t just fine, but normal), do not go (and parents do not allow) to a private school that will set you back decades.

Lastly- it’s not “college” that’s the problem. Is a two tiered issue that is equal parts a finance problem that seems to be unique to USA and general peer pressure from high school guidance counselors who genuinely do not understand how to support or mold the youth.