I do agree with that, although I'd classify it as something stronger than a notion.  All people are raised in a culture and are affected by it and social signifiers and status markers are often much MORE important to the most powerless amongst any given group.  It's well documented that women do just as much if not more to enforce terrible cultural things such as foot-binding, etc.  The problems aren't really to do with individuals.

Maybe we can eventually make language a complete impediment to understanding. -Hobbes