Collectives form naturally...

Are you not in a family? The only true individualist is abandoned at birth to be raised by wolves. Anything less, and you are a member of a collective, like it or not. In order to live with your family, you must abide by certain stupid rules with which you do not agree (though a certain amount of rebellion is expected). Your family is part of a greater extended family, among them often rich uncles that support others in times of need (why always an uncle and not your parents that are rich? Well, that's one of life's little mysteries, isn't it?). Centuries ago, your extended family would have been part of a much greater extended family: a tribe. Friction between groups of families from disparate backgrounds is obvious, but we all find common ground and achieve greater things through cooperation. Tribes formed coalitions to counter other tribes, and (sometimes socialist) nation-states were born.

Of course my argument is slightly flawed. Obviously, if you were raised by wolves, you'd be a member of a pack, itself a collective.

What I'm saying is that in the end, individualism is slightly more mature-sounding way to say, "fuck you, mom and dad!"