Because I am too immature, ignorant, foolish and overworked to raise a child properly. Because I was raised by immature, ignorant, foolish and overworked parents who did not know any better. I'm copying the only example I know. Independent thought is dangerous. Get in bed or I will hurt you.
Dialogue Try it sometime . . .
Be brave, challenge conventional wisdom. Not only is it less threatening then a direct assault of truth, but the openness of the method allows for constructive and exploratory dialogue. The questioner can also learn something themselves, in case their line of reasoning was mistaken or their evidence insufficient, or a new tangent of the issue is discovered. Too often I fail to use this method, I become impatient and begin asserting my own beliefs and evidence. Not only has this failed to convince any stubborn friend, but I run the risk of closing my own mind to contrary opinions and potential truth.