School and education are not always important to certain families. A GED is often not earned after someone drops out. At 16 years old, they can drop out without legal consequences here.
Most of us believe education is vitally important to success, but in some families...work, marriage, and a lower standard of living is quite the norm. It doesn't mean they are horrible people because they choose this route. It does mean they won't have as many chances in life as others tho.
I am one of 5 siblings. myself and a brother received our GED and we make more than the 3 who received diplomas. I am a nurse and my brother is a union sheet metal worker.