Human nature seems to like to 'control' our environments, relationships, and the people around us. Unfortunately, most adults don't like being controlled by others though, so relationships suffer when people are not allowed to find their own way in life.
Obviously, watching — and letting — someone you care about make a decision which you feel will lead to pain and unhappiness is very difficult. But since people learn best from their own personal experience — even bad experiences — your most useful (and respectful) behavior is to allow others to just make their own choices, even those you 'know' are not the wisest.
Each person is looking at the same view from a slightly different angle {perspective} so each person will make a slightly different choice based on their slightly different point of view. So everyone needs to understand and accept that your particular idea of the 'best' choices cannot possibly be the exact same choices someone else will make. You aren't living anyone else's life, nor is anyone else living your exact life.
You can give your opinion freely — but only if and when you are asked for it. You can also relate your personal experience and why you made a specific choice, but never crowd nor pressure anyone else to follow your desires simply because it's what 'you' want.
Ironically people sometimes exert more energy trying to 'control' others when they cannot even control their own behavior or follow the very guidance they're forcing on others. Never underestimate the power of being a good example when influencing people.
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