An interesting discussion on Houston's Morning News about "mean" dads. Don't react to the adjective. The concept is tough love, usually relegated to dads to lay down the law, discipline, to keep kids in line and also safe. Not so easy in current cultural norms that label such dads as “mean”.
Personally, I’m happy that my dad believed his duty was to raise children to be adults. I knew what was expected of me, never considered it mean or even that strict, but in adulthood, especially now, I see how tough it was. For him. For me, it was a gift. Don’t know how I could have had such a good life and be able to abide, especially today, were it not for my not-mean but oh, so loving and responsible Dad.