Interesting story, Mynydd. No need to say such people exist everywhere, maybe the proportions vary, but still... My friend's girlfriend family is very close to what you've described. And that's very hard for my friend too, because unlike her father, he doesn't like when women command him.
But still, this woman is girlfriend's mother and he has to control his behaviour and he always tell me how sometimes hard it is.
Speaking of this woman, she is very interesting example. One of the rare people that can defend their own opinion even if it obviously wrong. And she never (!) excuses. Sometimes she makes her daughter cry, though she always waits for excuses from her, never do it herself.