I think it's a question of "important for what" and how society goes about teaching kids those things. As in:

In Europe, it's important that kids learn self-development, so we let them do it. And they do it by hanging out with friends, learning an instrument, etc. They're not pushed to do those things because colleges don't take these into account for admissions.

In the US, it's important that kids learn self-development, so we have them learn an instrument, or participate in sports. They are pushed to do those things because colleges take those into account for admissions.