Were Words Just Enough To Bring Change?

Upon several discussions on this topic, I came across another thought, thus forming another quote. We often debated on age old rituals and rules; of which most that I'm aware of are Indian. May it be marriages or the concept of dowry, debates on these have been long ones and have often ended on one question, or one accusation, 'These are rituals that have been followed since forever, so they are supposed to be followed.' We argue on their decisions, on what right do they have to impact our lives. I've debated and the results have always remained inconclusive. We would discuss for long hours, but end at one statement, 'That's what our elders did, and even though these concepts don't seem reasonable today, they should be followed.' And even though we claim to be against these concepts in front of our peers, we'll be seen following them once the circumstances arise. My question is, 'Why?'

Why can we question their concepts, their beliefs, their actions, yet cannot change them? Why were all these debates so inconclusive, why did we still act the same way? Was this just a waste of time, or was this a way to show how advanced our mindset had become? And yet, at the back of our mind, we had thing we referred to as our 'actions against our will', which led to us following the same rituals. It is easy to question our ancestors. But it is hard to put a step down and take a stand against them. So, if you really believe in something contradictory to what others follow, take action rather than just conveying words.