In “The Giving Tree” portrays the relationship between a boy and a very maternal tree. Throughout the story, the tree gives the boy whatever he needs in life. For example, when the boy needs money the tree gives her apples to him to sell, when the boy grows up and wants his own home, she gives him her branches to build the house. More instances like these happen until eventually the tree is just a stump. I think the adult desire for the child audience is for the child to recognize the selflessness of the tree and it’s unconditional love for the boy, even when the tree only has her stump left she still offers that to him to sit on. This relationship between the tree and child is very much the same as the parent/child relationship. In most cases, parents give their children everything they can to make them happy and safe, even if it only leaves them with a stump. Silverstein, the author, most likely wanted children to see the similarity between the child and the tree as a parent/child relationship so they could recognize and appreciate what their parents do for them.
Silverstein, Shel, and Shel Silverstein. The Giving Tree. New York: Harper & Row, 1964. Print.
Be careful about saying what “most” adults do. You don’t know what “most” adults do or want. In fact your argument might be stronger if it isn’t what “most” adults do because then we can see how it is indeed a fantasy of what at least a adult and perhaps a parent wants some reader to think.