My Friends Strict Father

How do you describe a scenario where a child cannot even talk to his parent directly and he has to go through a close family or an uncle?
Does it really speak well or speak right about such parent? I am not a parent yet so I do not really have anything to say with proof about the situation but I will be glad if I could get enlighten from people who have kids already.

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I have a very close friend whose father is really strict, none of the kids will dare look at his face while he is speaking let alone talk to him in a manner that is not pleasant, whenever they hear him coming from a distance, every child comports himself and acts appropriately.

My friend told me that she use to think my dad was that strict on them before they were kids, he thought that as time goes on, he will let them do whatever they wanted to do but the father did not change he became more strict as days passed by.

He is not only strict to the kids but he is as well strict to the mother too, he talks to her in any manner he pleases and even goes to the extent at shouting at her in public places, the woman lives in fear in her own matrimonial home and she just hopes that her children will one day become old and strong enough to defend her.

(height:160)
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My friend is really sad and bitter about this happening and he does not know what to do to put an end to this annoying character of his father.