I think there are a lot of aspects to this question. One is the general conformity and narrowness which is pressed on nearly everyone from at least age 3 or 4 on up. All of the major social institutions we have, that I can think of, participate in the pressure. No major institution stands, for children and teens, as a positive model for searching and experimenting and widening their cultural horizons.
Then there is the dismal public school situation, of which I will say no more to avoid prolonging the rant!
I for one would not say that we exercise much "freedom" in making cultural choices, when only a small range of "acceptable" choices have been chosen for us.
Oops, bye, I feel my soapbox giving wayyyyyyyyy...