Honor thy father and mother: The true meaning of that commandment

 Many parents demand that their children respect them, or else fear punishment and retribution from the parent in the form of domestic violence against children. This is because of the commandment to honor parents, one of the most misunderstood biblical command. Non-compliance does reflect on the parents - meaning the child cannot be charged for insubordination. It is the fault of the parents for their child not listening to them.

It says in Ephesians 6:1-3 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor thy father and mother, for this is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long upon the earth.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to surrender to the care and support of parents, meaning parents selflessly provide and submit to the child's every vulnerable need, expecting absolutely nothing in relation to a child, sacrificing lower than your child, just as Christ sacrificed and paid the ultimate sacrifice for his children. It is, from the parent's perspective, giving but not receiving. Such is the most ultimate form of love, and is denoted in the New Testament by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao), and refers to Christian love, meaning service to children in this case. A child owes nothing in return to parents, while parents owe everything they have in terms of care to a child.

"Honor" referred to the mirroring aspect of gentle parenting. Attachment parenting was actually the norm in ancient Israel. Children were supposed to be raised gently, and attached to the parent. Children listened then because parents were "attached at the hip" to the parents, but in a way that allowed them freedom. If a child was disobedient or chronically disrespectful, it was seen as a slight on the parents, meaning evidence that the parents themselves are disrespectful and violent people. There were parent protection laws then, but they were repealed in Col. 3:21, where the verse would be understood in context as pointing out the mirroring aspect of parenting.

A child is a mirror of your own traits, and quite commonly bad traits. They show them right back to you, by way of reenactment. They might swear like you do when you are not around. Where did they learn to be punitive and disrespectful? YOU! So treat that child with respect, and stop complaining about how your child won't listen and how nobody appreciates parents. No, YOU appreciate that child, because they are only a child once, and then they are grown up. 

The depraved and entitled parents will BURN in ever-burning Hell-fire, the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices. Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!