Savoury Seasonings has a really useful post on What most bread recipes assume you already know the windowpane test is something I did not know and really useful.
To check if dough is kneaded enough see if you can stretch it to make a “windowpane” before it tears, if not knead some more!
(Unless you cheat and use Nathan’s no-knead recipe of course 😉
From my perspective, one of the best parts of making bread is the kneading – I find it soothing.