One: You’re stuck. Born or adopted into a family, you (the child) are not allowed to leave. Even if you don’t get along with your parents or your siblings. Even if your parents are siblings are abusive. (“But child abuse is illegal!” lol okay) Even if you just want a little vacation time.

Two: Coercive power. Parents are expected to control children. Not only that, but they’re allowed to do so, at their own convenience.

The parent-child relationship […] is supposed to be a command/obey dynamic: the parent makes commands, the youth is obligated to obey them. But obedience is not enough. The youth is supposed to show that they’re eager to comply and grateful for the supervision. Resentment, rolling eyes, sighing, back-talk, and being slow to obey–are seen as insubordination, an attack on the parent’s right to command. To empower parents, adult society has granted authority to use violence (“discipline”)–acts that would be considered “assault” if done to another adult. Most parents seldom need to use this power, though. Having established that they *can* inflict pain, intimidation keeps the youth in line. Youth remain trapped under this lingering threat by dependence on the parents for shelter, food, clothing, money, and transport. (Svenn Bonnischen, “Adult Supremacism”)

Three: Mandatory love. Did you tell you mom you loved her this mother’s day? (Honestly if you can’t see why it’s fucking gross that children must love their parents, stay away from me.)

Four: All of this contributes to and encourages the dehumanization of children.

also see, my own adult privilege checklist (which focuses specifically on power dynamics) and a common rebuttal/concern with letting go of parental power