Manipulation

A couple of friends of mine and I have been arguing for over a week on the term "Manipulation." They believe that it is wrong 100% of the time. I explained to them that we live in a world full of manipulation (media, politics, religion, etc.). However I do believe that manipulation can be good. They believe that manipulation will always benefit the manipulator no matter what because the person being manipulated will lose dignity and the right to make their own choice. I brought up the example of when a friend has a gun to their head, and you try to tell them that it is a mistake (manipulation). They say that it is guidance and direction, not manipulation. This led to a fight on the definition, manipulation has three definitions, the first two do not have anything to do with this subject, which led to the argument why words are arbitrary. So then one of the guys used a hammer as a metaphor for words, explaining that a person can use a hammer as a piece of art, weapon, paper weight, but that the sole purpose is to hammer nails. All of us are around 18-20 years old, very stubborn, egotistical, and are not willing to change sides. I honestly believe that it is a huge blanket statement to say that manipulation is bad 100% of the time, because that is close minded. So, I need some brain power, and just some insight to what you guys believe in manipulation. Do you belive that it is wrong 100% of the time, or can be good.

Thank you,