@punishmenthurts Kind of a hard balance #authoritarianism when the roles of #parent is multiple and has sub-types that are required to use elements of authoritarianism like acting as:

- a #guardian (authority),
- a #trainer (authority),
- experienced #adult (authority as knowledge),
- etc...

so while there's definite #dictator as bad, the lines become blurred or hard to see for what #level or #goal each sub-type is carrying out. As long as it's not the the clearer "I don't #care / don't have time for this" type then it can be tricky / all in the mind.

#AttachmentTheory is there either way also:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attachment_theory

Somehow I like the term #benevolent #dictator and some of that seems to work with #parenting and part of giving a lot while knowing best somewhat at the same time as #learning / #teaching / and allowing more #options.

I realise that when teacher don't learn or re-learn with their students (and also allow them to re-create) then that can be authoritarianism in the worse kind - perhaps like today where we cannot create much, change it willingly together or even allow to love things from all these rules or boxes, preventing love or cross-pollination (which could allow expression, feelings, decisions about love rather than pretend to standardise / box in all people instead as cold 'authority' or as 'system'.

Could instead act as guidelines or even guiding lights instead of blocking that warmth !.