Yes, you have a choice and as young person you try to find a hero you want to follow. In that respect we older ones were lucky, bad behavior was not seen as wonderful in books, on the screen and early TV. Now it seems to be the other way around, especially in the entertainment industry and in my opinion, freedom of speech is alright, but bad behavior don't have to be crammed down the kids throat.

I know someone who lived his entire life in a negative life style, but at age 48 he decided to change his life and his life style, he would be a poster boy for choosing his own destiny, in a fashion.

I think old Ralph Waldo would be aghast to see his quote applied (knowingly or not) by some in this society to mean they are the only ones who matter, the center of the Universe,, and their actions follow this belief -on the road and in the stores and everywhere in public.