John, and my feelings about him, are just too complex for me to pick one of these simplified choices. I choose all of the above! :D

He had to be hard on them in order to teach them how to survive and I think to make himself feel like he was in control of something in his crazy life. But I do think that he placed too much responsibility on Dean's shoulders and is responsible for his low self-esteem. He also tried to shield Sam too much when he was young and then out of fear for him tried to control him too much when he was older.

He was a just a guy thrown into a horrible situation and he had to figure out on his own how to deal with it. He made choices; some good, some bad. But everything he did was because he thought it was the right thing. Few people could have done better than he did and many would have simply snapped and ended up in a nuthouse.

Sorry about the long essay, but like I said. My feelings for John are complex.

I have mixed feelings about him too, but I guess everything he does is for the better:)

I agree with what fanfly said.

He's too much like my mom, in some ways. *ahem* But, like my mom, he has his reasons, altho his are certainly more complex.

That's probably why I can't stand him ._.

He is at times, but the reason he is that way is out of fear and love for his sons, trying to prepare them for what he's learned is out there in the world.

There wasn't really an option for my opinion so I went for the most middle one.