In “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, people only do anything because of tradition.
Every year, the town goes to the town square for a lottery. The tickets are put in a black box with it’s paint flaking off, and the one drawn out is stoned to death. Some towns next to them didn’t do lotteries anymore, but this town thought that they had too do it, because it’s tradition. Tessie Hutchinson was chosen this year, and everyone, including the children participates.
If any normal human were to learn off this tradition, they would be horrified. But to this town, It’s simply tradition to them. It’s what they’ve always done, and what they will always try to continue to do. Even the young children and toddlers. They look down on anyone who isn’t doing it. Other towns have come to their senses, but this town seems adamant on continuing the tradition.