Your comment reminded me of Michael Pollans book: Second nature. Its a really interesting book that talks about gardening, and also starts by talking about lawn care and how we are all made to believe that a trimmed lawn is the American way.

https://www.amazon.com/Second-Nature-Gardeners-Michael-Polla...

Michael Pollan actually talks about this in his book Second Nature. His father never cut his lawn and the neighbors had the same reaction, but his dad fought back as well. Really cool book if you want to read about gardening and how society looks at nature especially the lawn and garden.

[1]https://www.amazon.com/Second-Nature-Gardeners-Michael-Polla...