Agree, FS. Collective social stds and expectations should reinforce morality and ethics. It is very sad that many people are selfish and fail to see that what goes around, comes around. And their actions have wider ramifications - how it affects the people around them esp the kids who tend to pick up and learn more effectively from their environment and whatever they're exposed to.

"They lose fear of authority because everywhere they look it’s hollow or has been discredited."
- A downside to having total freedom. There must be a balance of freedom and restrictions. To add to your example, sometimes the teachers can't help to discipline much for fear of being sued in some litigation happy societies.

Agree that "A significant portion of growing up is learning that actions have consequences". Again, I say, total freedom is anarchy.

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Don't want no drama,
No, no drama, no, no, no, no drama