Why doesnt ponyboylike referring to sodapop as a dropout the outsiders book?

In "The Outsiders," Ponyboy dislikes referring to Sodapop as a dropout because it reduces his brother to a negative label that overlooks his many positive qualities. Sodapop is caring, responsible, and supportive, and Ponyboy feels that calling him a dropout diminishes his worth and contributions to their family. Ponyboy understands that education doesn’t define a person's value or character, and he wants to protect Sodapop's dignity from the stigma associated with dropping out of school.