Blog post #8 last but not least

People underestimate the power of influence of those in an authoritative position.   Most people do not realize that they too can be persuaded to do things that they would normally not do under the right circumstances.  We would all like to think we would do the right thing but these studies show us otherwise.    We are doomed to repeat history if we do not remember the past.  We need to teach our children to be free thinkers and not to blindly obey those in authority over us.  They should respect but question and learn to trust their gut instinct of what is right and wrong.  I recall seeing a bumper sticker as a young girl and it has stuck with me all these years, it simply read, “Question authority.”  Up until that point in time it had never occurred to me that that was even an option. I was taught as a child to obey those over me.  It was a light bulb moment for me.  There are many lessons to be learned and remember from these studies but one of the most important I think is to never degrade or demoralize yourself by following the instructions of someone else.  Always make sure that the decisions you make are decisions you can live with for the rest of your life.