There is nothing about molestation or abusing of children that is being considered. I am fairly certain that 99.99999% of us agree that both of those are WRONG in general but especially when dealing with children. As someone clearly stated, the thought behind their post was completely removing any sexual aspect what so ever. That seemed to be a clearly unspoken fact in the conversation up until the clarifying post, at least in my thinking.
What is being said, at least from my understanding and view point, is that raising a child is like a D/s relationship in the underlying values and the roles that some have to take on. As Wings pointed out... a Dom wants what is best for the sub, loves, nurtures, cares for, helps to grow, helps to guide, etc. That is what a parent does as well is it not? Do we not help our children learn. Yes, it may be through their own mistakes, but how many subs here have "learned" through their own mistakes, etc.
I agree the dynamic, based on the nature of the relationship alone is different. Hell, in my household the nature of the relationship is different per child, just as it is in most. And yes, the control will shift throughout the child's growth and development, but doesn't it also shift in a D/s relationship as the sub grows? The shift may not be in the same fashion but it is still there in both relationships.
I don't think anyone is saying children are subs. The thought is that, just as a Dominate has to have a certain amount of control to help the sub so does the parent and both relationships work on the same basic function. That is the way it is though for anyone who lives in this world. Be it with children/parents, bosses/employees, teachers/students, dominates/subs.... there is ALWAYS a leader and there is ALWAYS a follower... with the hope that some day the follower grows past needing the leadership (or that certain type of leadership) and in many cases hopefully surpasses the leader.
And on a side note... I do "unplug" and am very active in my children's lives. (Just ask Delia she listens about the latest happenings often enough...lol) But to be active also means that I have to take a Dominate role in many of the things we do, etc. or they wouldn't get to experience as much as they do and more importantly they wouldn't get to experience it in a safe environment. So, just because someone has a different view point doesn't mean that negative generalization of an entire thought process are necessary.