These beliefs shape everything we experience.

Most of us where programed to be obedient to authority.
Most people pass this on to their children unconsciously.
Many that recognize issues with this program still pass it on because it is backwards compatable with previous versions, installing a total disrespect for authority is disadvantageous to everyone.
Many parents still opt to teach their children to disrespect authority, sometimes intentionally and often unintentionally.

There is no such thing as American Culture. We are an infinitely complex current of mixing cultures in which new forms take shape. Immigrants, divorce, science, offensive media, and other threats to traditional belief systems are maturing here at an exponential rate. We are left increasingly out-of-phase with common illusions. There's no Culture War. There's the people who wish to impose their culture on others as a way of validating their own beliefs and the oppressed. The often unconscious motivation of our criminal justice system is to oppress cultural minorities.

So I choose to teach my children that they can do and be whatever they wish, but must be willing to accept the consequences. I do my best to teach them the value of respecting authority, while still maintaining self-consciousness and self-determination. The history of mankind has shown us the faults in the authoritative mentality, but we've been unable to imagine and implement a more successful program, because previous programs had an insurmountable power advantage. This is changing. I imagine a culture of mutual respect across incompatible world views. Those with power should be respected for the power they wield, not because they are right. I choose to help create a culture where self-consciousness is valued above authority. My children need to learn right from wrong, but the more I interfere with their learning the more I imprint my own prejudices. Parents should be safety guides, not cultural imprinters. As should any form of social contract.

We have allowed mass culture to dictate our cultural values. Regardless of we individualy observe this effect, we are all capable of recognizing it. I believe the way to transcend this cultural blight is to build a culture that is more resistant to it's trapping. I teach them that they are responsible not just to themselves, but to all those around them. We must be conscious of how our actions impact the shared existence, and not just the individual existence. That we are not responsible only for what we believe, but how our beliefs impact the world. These beliefs shape everything we experience.