Several weeks ago news of a college admissions scandal made headlines. The story uncovered how large sums of money were being paid by families as a way of ensuring that their children would be accepted into some of the most prestigious college institutions in America.

The story has gained traction and remained headlined news thanks, in large part, to some of its more famous participants. The familiar faces have somehow made it more personal, simultaneously inducing feelings of I’m not surprised with I cannot believe she would do something like that.

This situation so clearly depicts how the wealthy hold power, and with power comes privilege and entitlement. It’s easy to see the absurdity in the decisions made and the corruption of a system that is willing to be controlled and manipulated by money.

But I fear that we are too quick to separate ourselves from such events and, since most of use will never have the kind of money needed to bribe large institutions for favors, we create a narrative of I would never. We are able to convince ourselves that, if faced with a similar situation, we would take the preverbal “high road.”

However, as I consider this situation I am able to draw more common threads between them and us than most of us would like to admit. At the very heart of this story is a group of parents who made choices that they believed would give their children a better future.

While most parents may not lie, steal and cheat for their own sake, many would, and do, go to extremes for their children. We may call it “working the system” or simply “bending the rules,” but in truth a lot of people are being dishonest in order to help their children advance academically, athletically, even artistically.

Dishonest gain and poor choices are often justified as merely a means of helping a loved one make advancements that might not otherwise be realized. But, dishonesty, no matter how it is worded or excused, is still dishonesty.

We can talk about the privilege and power of the rich all day long, but the ugly truth is that we all leverage our privilege and power, (regardless of how limited said privilege and power are), for our own benefit when needed. And, I would even venture to say that most of us have or someday will knowingly make decisions that benefit ourselves or our loved ones at the direct expense of others.

Whatever it takes, right? Is that the mindset we have all accepted?

There are many similarities woven throughout the scandal and our cultural behavior in general. Good people making poor choices and never expecting to get caught.

We can judge these wealthy parents for their deception, but I think we have to take a good long look in the mirror at our own dishonest actions, behaviors and motivations. Maybe our dishonesty will never come with hefty fines or possible jail time, but when we compromise our morals we have so much more at stake–our good character.

The parents involved in the scandal will likely face severe consequences, (as I believe they should), and sadly the very children that they were trying to help are finding themselves suffering the consequences of their parents’ behaviors as well. Some of the children have lost endorsement deals and other job opportunities, and the ones who have already graduated are potentially going to lose their diplomas and the very prestige and social standing that their parents worked, (bribed), so hard to solidify.

When privilege is leveraged for dishonest gain the message is loud and clear: that me is more important than we. And really all we’re doing with such behavior is perpetuating the problem and passing on a legacy of deceit and lies on to the next generation.

The abuse of power, privilege and prestige are major problems in our culture that need to be addressed, I just don’t think that we can brush these issues off as only found among the rich and famous. Regardless of its size, let’s use our power and privilege for the good of everyone.

After all, our children are worth the honest effort.