We in this culture interpret love differently. We think that if someone really loves us they won t require obedience it will be optional. Then, as the children of this generation grow they see God in the same way. He is the eternal grandparent who may make demands, and even threaten, but never carry out what he has said. The ten commandments become the ten suggestions for them.
Obedience is our witness to the world that our faith is genuine and real.
By learning obedience to their parents, they learn to obey God. Parental controls teach them how one day to control themselves. Parental discipline leads to self-discipline. Let me be quick to say that this is no justification for abuse. Punishment just for the sake of punishment finds no place in Scripture.