My father at age 21, strong and dominant, typical for a man raised in a European environment. He grew up with totally different values than you and I, one where the male was in deed, king and lord over his domain. This unfortunately included the women and children in their lives and my mother and I were no exception. He was a very demanding and stern father who expected no less than perfection from his family. Now don't get me wrong, he was never overly physical with me but thats cause it only took a few good lickings to get his point across, after that, fear was his means of making you do as told. Working in a foundry gave him a strength and physical presence that to this day amazes me. I have rather large if somewhat soft hands but compared to him, my hands look like that of a childs in comparison. I always felt like he wanted to shed the outer shell of male chauvinism but just never learned how.
I don't necessarily like the man for how he thinks or behaves at times but I do love him because although we are of different generations, nevertheless he always meant well, cared deeply for his family and worked hard to make a good life for us.