Religion and tradition, the two things that elevated humanity, yet also been the source of much of its suffering.
Religion and tradition have elevated humanity and it's good to acknowledge that. They never could have eliminated suffering, only changed the sources and types of suffering. It is helpful for many of us to have things like religion and traditions to give the suffering more meaning, sense, and purpose.
When people like the father never find the courage to speak, they will be harmed/destroyed/etc. in exactly the way those traditions would warn against.