I REFER to the letter, "Fathers crucial to kids' upbringing" (my paper, Jan 8).

The letter argues that "Asian" and "Western" fathers' parenting styles differ, and goes on to imply that Western fathers do not strive to instil morals and family values or teach their children to be valuable, law-abiding citizens.

While I agree on the important role fathers play in a child's upbringing, I am offended by the slur being made against Western fathers and the position of moral superiority adopted in the letter.

As a Western father, I most certainly place priority on the transmission of morals and family values when raising my child, along with encouraging her to think for herself and teaching her the value and importance of hard work.

At the age of four, she is being introduced to different religions and being taught the importance of tolerance, along with the need to decry bigotry and misogynism - the same values that were taught to me by my Western father at a very young age.

I believe that the writer of the letter owes an apology to Western fathers, and should take more care with his words in future.

Mr Darryn Johnston

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