One of my mother’s favorite arguing tactics when I was a kid was telling me the paperwork to make me a ward of the state only cost $50 to file (no idea if that was true, but that’s what she’d scream). Once she even tacked a $50 on the door. Then there’s the old Cosby lines from his dad “I brought you into this world, I’ll take you out” and “I’ll slap the black offa you”. Some parents are into the power differential... not good parents generally, but definitely some.
“One of my mother’s favorite arguing tactics when I was a kid was telling me the paperwork to make me a ward of the state only cost $50 to file...”
I’m sure many, if not most parents can empathize with the frustration - even desperation - behind this statement.
(unless of course you were blessed with especially compliant & loving children 8^)
Yes, it’s about the power. Some parents like to emphasize that power differential even though it must be pretty obvious to the child.