We can encourage our children to think for themselves and develop critical thinking skills. We can discourage them by not showing our appreciation or by punishing them for their questions. I'm tired of your questions. Have respect for your parents. Similar negative remarks can be detrimental for a healthy growth of independent brains.
Adults can easily become the slaves of routine or popular trend.
Irony of Human Mind To be a critical thinker in one area does not necessarily mean to be a critical thinker in other areas. For instance, a biochemist who is conducting research on hormones selects the relevant data, observes, develops hypotheses, conducts experiments, questions, analyzes, casts doubts on his assumptions, tests, examines the predictions, modifies his theories or dismisses them entirely. Religion is one area that contains forests of red lights and sacred mines for critical thinkers. You are, generally, expected to bury your questions if you are a member of a religious community. Gullibility is praised as faith and virtue.