I wonder if the kids of these parents will end up with a higher-than-normal rate of low self-esteem when they realize their parents would literally have them be dead rather than less than perfect.

Seriously. I don't mean that in a spiteful way. It's about as direct as it can get - as far as "Yes, I really rather would risk your death than entertain the possibility that you might not fit my flawless standards" - and that's got to leave a mark on the more sensitive kids.

It disturbs me that so many parents are proud to make that explicit.