"At what age is it best to crush a child’s dreams so that they have an easier time stepping in to the status quo?"

"You fool. You do not do such things to children. A child is like a poison missile you aim at the Future. You encourage, fund and resource their dreams to the fullest extent of your capability, knowing that your reward will be the pain and misery of generations yet unborn."

-- Warren Ellis
http://www.warrenellis.com/?p=8090

@gcupc the counter argument:
"Each new generation born is in effect an invasion of civilization by little barbarians, who must be civilized before it is too late." - Thomas Sowell