There is a point in life when like it or not, switching roles with our parents is the right thing to do. The hardest part is accepting that this is necessary.
Sounds gruesome if you take it literally. Taking it mythically, though, the Father eats the Son, meaning the child becomes the adult.
Roles and life is not forever. There is a natural cycle to things, from birth to death, from one generation to the next. In this case, in switching roles, you truly become the adult, and leave behind the last remanent of childhood.
And when you grow old enough, it will be your turn, just as it will be for me.
As saddening as seeing that happen can be, stealing from someone "for is own good" is still stealing.