Yes, you are right about them rejecting the truth. From the way the OW was talking, I'm sure she has encouraged him before he needs to stand up to girls and let them "treat" him like that. It's so hard to believe he would not see how badly he has hurt his girls. It's hard enough for them to go through this, but then for their dad to act like a child and threaten them instead of trying to get to the root of the problem.
Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are. -- Bernice Johnson Reagon