was Wade abusive?

I agree mostly with your comment. He had a temper, but we don't know almost anything about him and we don't know what he had to go through in his life.

However, there is one thing that I found really disturbing - his fascinations with weapons. I could hardly feel any sympathy or understanding for a person who has a single weapon at home, let alone a whole collection. He was lucky that his supply of killing machines didn't cause even bigger tragedy. (During the biggest part of the movie believed that Lonnie would kill Wade at the end.)

I think he was abusive. That's why both of his kids were scared of him.

This will not be over quickly. You will not enjoy this. I am not your Queen. - Queen Gorgo~300

If you want to take the politically correct road then yes Wade was abusive. However, I feel he was struggling as much as his kids. He didn't lose it and beat on them but he did lose his temper and lash out, quickly regretting it. He knew he was making bad situations worse but he was unable to control his temper. Whether or not he was abusive is really shown when Harlan expects Tobe to leave with him. She suddenly realises the situation is real and that she wants to stay home with her father.

Wade was not the best or most understanding Dad but I think the character is well payed and pretty realistic (especially as we do not get any family background - was he their real father or stepfather?, where is the mother? dead? what happened to him in the military? if he works in a prison now what strain does that put on him?). Wade although misguided in his methods is trying to do the right thing - to keep Lonny away from guns despite his own obsession; to stop Tobe getting into trouble and staying out all night.

I felt Wade came across as a decent, if slightly distant, Dad who tried his best.

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