That is a horrible defense of a horrible sounding parent.
Other comments have made the required comparisons to other idiotic appeals to antiquity, but there's another thing. It seems almost barbaric when we're past the time when people had almost no say in their career path to limit your children's exposure to add many ideas and experiences as you can. A farmer in the 1600's didn't have much choice, but we do now.
Let's lay it out simply: As a [whatever I am] I have the ability to teach [X]. Therefore, I will teach [X] to my children to help them be a useful member of society.
In my particular case, for example, I have the ability to teach my child about math, logic, critical thinking, problem solving, general computing, and rudimentary electrical engineering. I'll also teach them about hiking, backpacking, a love of nature, fine art, an appreciation of music and storytelling... but as far as "making a wage" skills?
I just can't teach them skills I don't have.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to teach my child how to be an extrovert, an athlete, a politician, an actor, a doctor, a singer, an agriculturist, a CEO of a major corporation... but... those are not in my skillset.
And to call this guy "a horrible-sounding parent" for doing what he should be doing just means you're not a parent.
Slavery and teachers beating the shit out of children who spoke out of line is as old as history as well. That doesn't mean we made a bad move as a society in moving away from those things.
If your parent is a minister, you'll be helping around the church as a teenager.
Or how about the common last name 'Smith', as in 'that family of blacksmiths'?
Parents teaching their kids the family trade is as old as history. Maybe there are other ways, but to 'shock and disgust' seems a bit extreme.