Propaganda, why do people let it control their lives?

I have been self studying propaganda for a couple of years now.

It all started when I met an old school friend who I hadn't seen for nine years, he was working as a trainee manager at a supermarket and had recently got married and was speaking about his new car.

When I replied that I went back to Uni to study, didn't drive a car, had no girlfriend and still lived at my parents house he asked me where did I f'up in life.

Also my family can be the same too such as my sister that says I'm too old to learn a new language or play an instrument. (btw I'm 29)

And this year one of my friends new girlfriend laughed at me when I said I didn't drive.
And a few friends do not invite me out unless I dress the way they want.
(such as I will wear jeans, trainers, t-shirt, hoodie/jumper but they say I can't come to house parties or go to certain places with them unless I wear expensive jeans, shoes, shirt, done my hair etc)

Its even happened at Uni when younger students laugh at my ideas saying that they are outdated or unheard of. (I study games design… Which some people think I'm too old to do too.)

I came to the conclusion that most people in life have been programmed by propaganda to think a certain way and to shun out the people that do not follow the system.
It can be something like "you are meant to go to school, then college, learn to drive, buy a car, then Uni, move out of your parents house before you are 30, etc"

Or it could even be something to do with products such as a few of my Apple or Sony fanboy friends hate it and even argue with me when I say I do not want an iphone or a playstation.

What I want to know is why do you, or these people think that there/your way is correct and others that do not follow like sheep are deemed as failures or outcasts?

When I did ask this to a group of my friends they all looked dumbstruck and thought I was going crazy and told me to see someone who can help me think that what I'm thinking is wrong, so I thought I would ask online as people tend to answer questions about certain subjects when they are not face to face.

They get manipulated because they are not clever, bright, educated enough to make there own decisions. Take America for example they there people think they have freedom, but do they? They get spied on by the NSA 24/7 they would of not found out if it was not for that Edward Snowden, America littlelary let Obama sign a document which in a time of war gives the millitary or police to arrest civilians and lock up without any court trial.

You're never to old for education my father had finished 2 universities by 40 and had started for a phd for doctors after 50