Worldview and why being influenced isn't such a bad thing

Right now in our Psych through Lit class, we're doing an assignment called the "Worldview Journal," where we explain our worldview, and attempt to justify it. Now, I don't know if it's just me, but I've always come under the impression that people expect your worldview to be "you", like your worldview is completely of your own thought and no outside influences have changed it. 

Even if that isn't the correct definition, some people do feel that all your thoughts must be independently generated, and that somehow, outside influences taint your thinking process. Seriously, what's wrong with following your parents, or friends if what they are doing is justifiable in your head. It's not "brainwashing." As far as I'm concerned, my parents have generally allowed me to be pretty independent. Do they try to influence me? Yes, of course. As parents, it's a part of their job. But me being independent doesn't mean I don't listen to a word they say. In fact, most of the times I do, and I agree with them. My thoughts of right and wrong, life, and my environment have all been shaped by my parents, and I turn try to impart my own influences on people around me. Essentially, my worldview is my parents' worldview, and I find nothing wrong with that. 

Some people feel that if you're anything like your parents, you were obviously brainwashed at an early age. I don't know if this is something I'm imagining this, but it seems like that in some situations. And the phrase "peer pressure" always has negative connotations. There is POSITIVE peer pressure. Telling your friends not to drink. Forcing your friends to do homework. These are examples of positive peer pressure, but no one every thinks of these. Peer pressure comes with the idea that your friends are influencing you to do something bad, and that's just not how it works. Our society looks down on peer pressure, because everyone is expected to be independent, and have their own moral compass, no matter how skewed it is. Sometimes, being under the influence of another is a good thing. For example, take apprentices. For years, they are under the "influence" of a craftsmaster, who imparts with them skills, and traits that hopefully the apprentice will take on. Now, the apprentice is free to disregard these lessons, or he can accept these influences, and apply them to his own life. Is that such a bad thing? I don't think so.

New YOUTUBE video. This song is just so awesome. 

I hope these blogs are just as entertaining for you to read as they are for me to write.