<i>Do you want this robot to do everything your child tells it to do? ... If we design robots to do everything a child demands, does that put into motion a master-servant relationship?” To be sure, the robot could be programmed to say no to the child. But as parents understand all too well, the key to getting a child to accept authority is knowing when to say no and when to say yes, and you wonder how a robot can be taught to know the difference. </i><p>It seems a little simplistic to consider only two possible positions: complete slavery to every whim or authority.<p>Children also have relationships with <i>friends</i>, who neither blindingly obey every command nor do they have authority over them. And we certainly don't expect the toddler that is friends with our son/daughter to know when to say yes or no.