Obedience to the authority, parents for an example, is one of the characteristics of a ”good child” It is generally helpful in maintaining a functional maturity since obedience goes with respect to the authority. Although in extreme cases it might stand in the way of achieving practical adulthood. A functional grown-up, by definition, should be happy with his life, because he attained or is on the way to attain his goals.
Previously I mentioned extreme cases; let me explain that. Parents always, more or less, want the best for their child. Sometimes they just think it would be the best for their child. They also often would love their child to become a lawyer, or a doctor. Over-ambitious parents can really damage their own kid by pushing into something, while the child doesn’t necessary share its own aspirations with his parents. An obedient child, wanting the best for all, just follows his parents’ lead. Unfortunately, there are some people that are successful in their carriers, but are unhappy personally. It might occur in view of the fact that when they were young they didn’t have a say in choosing their future job, and now have a job against their earlier goals. The obedient child just couldn’t say “no” to his parents.
One may conclude that being a "good child" doesn't have to go with functional adulthood. Parents need to understand that the child is to be heard, not only to be seen. Parents shouldn’t let their ambition blind them for the child’s needs. That might help with bringing up the child, and achieving this functional adulthood eventually.