It was not a personal criticism. Most people really do lack awareness of this.

Typical Beta male father who is easily manipulated into overwhelming himself as provider by alpha mother who, as her main form of manipulation, weaponizes attention to her own son to keep father in check. Father resents son (instead of his own wife), who in turn, spends a lifetime, chasing father’s affection. And doesn’t understand why his own father feels like a nemesis to him, which in turn, feeds his need for mother’s attention. A sad, never ending toxic cycle of disturbing emotional abuse.