as i stated, i'm a parent.. it's hard.. i battle almost every day with exactly what you two are discussing.. is it my duty as parent to "push/encourage/mandate" certain things? or since he's getting older, to let him live (and die) by his own choices .. fine, fine, fine line.. it's tough.. I've done both..
There is no 1 right way to raise a child is what you are saying if I am reading it correctly which is exactly what I was getting across. If you want to beat your children into submission then that is your choice and you are the only one who can decide. Some people let there children find out for themselves and give them good logic to make the decision with. Some parents stand on their childrens shoulders making the decisions for them. It really doesnt matter what you do to your child it is that you are showing them love and teaching them discipline. How you get there is your choice.
Oh and Your and You were not pointed at you case, lol