Germans have very strong sense of behavioural norms that are communicated more subtly.

You don't get such a cohesive culture without fairly strict norms.

In America - you are probably referring to the 'PC rules' which are things that come at you as an adult, they are constantly changing, vague, locale-specific. And it's more of a new phenom.

Also - not sure if kindergartners should be using hammers either :). Maybe tiny ones?