Why did children have to report stirrings to an adult?

In the context of "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, children were required to report stirrings—feelings of desire or attraction—to an adult to maintain the community's strict control over emotions and relationships. This practice aimed to suppress individuality and ensure conformity, as any such feelings could lead to disruption in the highly regulated society. By reporting stirrings, children were encouraged to take medication that eliminated these emotions, reinforcing the community's values of sameness and control.