Last time around, there was a similar topic - except it was not in the lighter vein.
Somebody had heard a man call his son or daughter 'Stupid' in some shop, and our dear 'listener' had come very upset to our dear website, 'horrified and outraged' at the plight of the poor child and what it had done to his/her psyche.
Following that post, there had been a hail of indignant replies voicing how utterly useless a father that man was and whatever else, for mentally flogging the child.
At that time I was too shocked to add in my bit, but now having regained my composure and my voice (my fingers and keyboard in this case), I say (or rather, I type), going by the same logic, is it also wrong for a father to hug and kiss his child in public?
If it is not, why is a stern word from a father - in the privacy of the house or a public place so wrong?
I'm sure no parent wants to use that kind of language but then some situations demand it.
Also, who are we to comment upon what understanding the father-child duo shares?
How much did we know of the two to have cast our judgements that the 'father was wrong'.

P.S. I was not the father, and I hope I won't have to be that kind of father to my two sons.