Originally Posted by Mago

Kids and parents don't have a equal relationship - the power dynamic places the parents in charge, although in today's society, we expect parents to treat the child more like a participant than simply an automaton that obeys.

Honestly, I don't take this to the extreme other parents do. My kids are given consideration as thinking people, but there are times when 'the law' is set, and that has to be there, because a parent's authority needs to be absolute.

Disregarding a child's point of view, though, undermines your own authority. Children who believe their parents don't listen are more likely to rebel in dangerous ways. Parents with authority know that sometimes the child needs to have their views listened to, because power involves both people acknowledging. When a person in power has to force the other to submit, then its not power anymore, but strength. Power is when one submits to the other willingly.