Theres no doubt that your family love & do support you in there own way, and everyone has made some real valid points here. Catnapper kind of hit it right on the head. Just because you want to do it, doesn't necessarily mean you should. Okay in saying that I left home at 17, left school too, which would be my only dissapointment. Consequently I virtually had to self educate myself. (not an easy thing to do). But I went ahead and did it, and had the time of my life. Ended up travelling the world and really experienced life.
Question is, do you feel you can take that responsibility?
Good luck and support with what you decide mate.