Social and economic classes are very real in America, despite official denials.

Brandy, the following is not designed to be "cute."  "Monkey see.  Monkey do."  It is another way of restating in very simple "street" language the power of externalities, aka environments, to impact our internalities, aka ethical makeup.  Yes, environmental conditioning is very real.  Peer pressure is real.  The desire to belong is very real.  It takes time, experience, reflection, however, to gain perspective on this shaping power and how to respond to it - to save our souls.  Americans do not like to admit we in fact have social classes in our country; the class in which we start, belong, aspire to join has great impact in our ethical choices and consequent ethical behaviors.  Yes, as my Ph.D. dissertation chair, advisor taught, "The environment is all-powerful."  With age and experience, I must agree with him.  You however allow the individual in the final analysis to have power over aspects of the environment, and this provides hope!  Thank you!  Dr. Rux