Apart from having a mop for hair, he does have the guts to defy his father by willfuly continue to strop on his arm and having dreadlocks, both of which his father is at least mildly opposed to. True, it is only mild rebellion and stubbornness, but it's a start :p
However, a strop is one of those things that you do actually need for a better shave, so just buy him one for christmas. If he hasn't cut up his arm stropping yet, and he still gets decent shaves, his technique seems to be okay.