The Rubinshteinic Realization of the Kindergarten
Updated: Jan 26
The Kindergarten Realization
An Amusement Park for Children
What is the role of society? This question has served as the bedrock of countless philosophical debates throughout history. Is society the protective force that fosters human flourishing, or is it a manipulative system designed to perpetuate itself at the expense of its constituents?
Thomas Hobbes, in his seminal work Leviathan, described society as a "social contract" formed out of self-interest, a mutual agreement to ensure survival, security, and stability. However, beneath this lofty premise lies a darker reality—one that forces us to confront an unsettling question: Is society truly a collaborative construct, or is it an elaborate system of control and oppression?
My journey to understanding these questions began, as it does for many others, in an unlikely place: The kindergarten.
For most, the term "kindergarten" evokes memories of colorful classrooms, playful games, and the innocence of early childhood. But for me, it represents something far more profound: a microcosm of societal dynamics and a stage where the first seeds of compliance, obedience, and conformity are sown.
It was within the walls of a seemingly fun kindergarten classroom that I first encountered the grim, monotonous machinery of regular society. The bright colors and cheerful songs could not mask the tears of children being separated from their families, nor could they obscure the deeper, more insidious lessons being taught: submission to authority, the sacrifice of individuality, and the relinquishment of autonomy.
What I experienced in kindergarten was not merely an introduction to education but an initiation into the mechanisms of a society that prioritizes its survival over the well-being of its members.
Kindergarten: The First Institutional Separation
Kindergarten is often framed as the beginning of a child’s formal education, a gentle transition from the warmth of home to the structured environment of school.
But what does it truly represent? To me, kindergarten is the first institutionalized separation from one’s family, the first step in a lifelong journey of compliance. It is where the individual begins to learn that their time, emotions, and choices are no longer solely their own but are subject to the demands of an external system.
I vividly recall the tears of my peers, their cries echoing through the hallways as their parents left them in the hands of strangers. The scene resembled a kind of ritual—a necessary initiation into a world that demanded surrender. This separation, though temporary, felt permanent in its implications. It marked the beginning of a process that would teach us to prioritize societal expectations over personal desires.
On its surface, kindergarten appears harmless, even beneficial. It is marketed as a place where children can learn, play, and socialize. But beneath the surface lies a subtler, more powerful purpose: to acclimate children to the structures of society. Kindergarten is where we first learn to follow rules, adhere to schedules, and submit to the authority fallacy. It is where individuality begins to be suppressed in favor of conformity and herd mentality.
The Role of Society: Protector or Manipulator?
This early experience of separation and conformity raises a critical question: What is the true role of society?
Is it a protective force that fosters human development, or..
Is it a manipulative entity that prioritizes its survival over the well-being of its members?
Hobbes’ vision of society as a social contract suggests that it is a mutual agreement designed to benefit all parties. However, my experiences have led me to question whether this contract is truly mutual or whether it is imposed upon us without our consent.
Compulsory education is often cited as one of society’s greatest achievements. It is framed as a gateway to knowledge, opportunity, and progress. But what is the true purpose of this education? Is it to enlighten individuals and foster independent thought, or is it to mold them into obedient members of society? The answer, I believe, lies in examining the underlying motivations of the system.
Society, as an entity, prioritizes its survival above all else. It seeks to perpetuate itself by producing individuals who conform to its expectations and fulfill its needs. This is evident in the structure of education, which often prioritizes societal needs over individual aspirations.
Children are taught to memorize facts, follow instructions, and adhere to routines. Critical thinking, creativity, and individuality are often sidelined in favor of compliance.
Education or Indoctrination?
The curriculum, though diverse on the surface, often serves as a tool of indoctrination. It teaches children not only academic skills but also societal values. These values, though framed as universal, are often designed to serve the interests of the system. For example, children are taught to value hard work, obedience, and competition. They are rarely encouraged to question the system itself or to explore alternative ways of living.
Take literature, for instance. How does reading ancient texts contribute to one’s survival or enhance one’s humanity? Why must students be inundated with subjects that feel irrelevant to their lives?
These questions reveal a deeper truth: The purpose of education is not solely to impart knowledge but to instill conformity. The focus is not on fostering independent thought but on ensuring that individuals fit neatly into the framework of society.
The seeds of this realization are planted early in life. I still remember a high school teacher solemnly telling me,
"Sometimes you’ll have to do things you don’t want to do."
The subtext was clear: Your desires are secondary to society’s needs.
This message, though subtle, is pervasive. It teaches individuals to prioritize societal expectations over personal fulfillment, to sacrifice their dreams for the greater good.
The Manufactured Value of Socialization
One of the most insidious aspects of education is its emphasis on socialization. While socialization is often framed as a positive force, it is frequently used as a tool of control. It molds individuals into cogs that fit neatly within society’s machine, ensuring its continuity at the expense of their autonomy.
Socialization begins in kindergarten, where children learn to interact with their peers, follow rules, and adhere to schedules. These lessons, though seemingly innocent, serve a deeper purpose: to prepare individuals for a lifetime of compliance. The institutions we are thrust into rarely care for the individual. They care for the collective, for the abstract notion of "progress," for the perpetuation of a system that views us as means to an end.
The Cost of Compliance
The cost of this compliance is immense. By prioritizing societal needs over individual aspirations, we create a world where individuals are valued not for their humanity but for their utility. Public education, for example, fulfills its purpose when it produces obedient workers, not critical thinkers.
Employers, not teachers, ultimately dictate what skills are necessary. So why must students endure years of irrelevant coursework?
Looking back, much of what I learned in school has faded from memory. The anxiety, the sleepless nights, the pressure—all for knowledge that has little bearing on my life today. The teacher who told me I couldn’t always do what I wanted was both right and wrong....
While society imposes its will, it cannot extinguish the human spirit’s longing for freedom.
The Kindergarten Epiphany
It was only in adulthood that I realized the depth of the illusion. Society thrives on making individuals feel powerless. A quiet worker is a compliant worker, and a subdued student is an ideal one. The dogma that you must sacrifice your desires for the greater good is both toxic and dehumanizing. This indoctrination begins in kindergarten, where children are taught to suppress their individuality in favor of conformity.
The "social contract" Hobbes envisioned seemed less like an agreement and more like an imposition. How can we speak of mutual benefit when one side wields all the power?
Yet, life belongs to the individual, not to society. The realization that I had been used—that my worth had been measured in utility rather than humanity—was both liberating and sobering. The journey toward reclaiming one’s essence is not without resistance. The system, after all, does not willingly release its hold. But the first step is recognizing the cage for what it is.
One of my former psychologists once told me...
"As an adult, few will care about your thoughts. You’ll just be another part of the machine."
Her words, though harsh, encapsulated society’s indifference. The machine does not care for its cogs, only for its functioning.
But there is life beyond the machine. To reclaim it requires courage—the courage to question, to resist, and to live authentically. The kindergarten realization is not just about the first separation from family; it is about the first confrontation with a system that demands your submission. It is a realization that can either break you or set you free.
Beyond the Kindergarten Realization
As I write this, I am reminded of the resilience of the human spirit. Despite society’s attempts to shape us, there remains within each of us a spark of individuality—a spark that no institution can extinguish.
The choice is ours: To conform to the machine or to challenge it. The realization that life is ours to live, not society’s to dictate, is the ultimate freedom. And that is worth fighting for.
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