Just because your friends do something one way doesn't mean that you have to do it that way. Often it takes someone to do whatever it is a different way, for the friends to actually feel OK about doing it differently. If one member of the group is strong enough to show that difference is OK, the group attitude can change. Often the people in a group who keep doing things the same old way actually feel that what is happening is wrong, but they are too frightened of being that little bit different to do anything about it. Changing for the better does not happen quickly and easily.
People are always wary and a little afraid of change.
To understand this just consider our news media. Every time something new happens it's the fights, anger, and resistance that are the focus of attention, ahead of any positive aspects of the change. Our society resists change, and so do most of us. It is normal to feel afraid and worried about new things. It can seem too frightening to try new ways when we don't know what is going to happen.