Ayn Rand constantly explores this collectivist notion throughout the anthem, through the eyes of an individual; foreshadowing the ever-present threat to the doctrine. For example, they have numbers rather than names. They are also expected to treat everyone the same and not have any special friends. In this context, you can understand why they would want to raise their children separately from their parents. If you grow up with your parents, you are a family. It’s because you are “in a group”. You identify most with your family and others are not as important to you. When you do this, you get the idea that you are different from everyone else. In this book, the leaders want everyone to be the same so as not to try to rebel against society. Leaders want everyone to think the same thing so there can be true socialism.