U.S. lacks in nuanced views. Spirit of the law is more important than the letter, but the first problem is our law is based on ruling by fear, largely towards a population 'conditioned by corporate interests as advertised, a corrupt church and political hierarchy. If instead youth were educated in how to be most responsible in their autonomy, how to do no harm to others and take responsibility for the risks they take, how much less would we need police and jails to enforce law? "Respect" for an authority figure amounts to fear. Respect for a peer amounts to real trust. Any system based on coercive ruling is doomed to ultimately cause more harm than good. An adult should be a respected teacher, but respect is EARNED not given for granted to anyone of some age or a certain uniform or office. I look around and see so few examples of earned responsibility, it seems almost desolate. But when I look at the people who have grown up as their own teacher and leader with their teachers and parents as people of equal respect but experience to teach, they are more self governing and more benevolent in their conduct to other people.