Most parents, in my experience, feel more reassured when children sound out - as they instinctively know that this is the common sense way to do it! It seems to be teachers that have been brain-washed by ill-informed initiatives and programs.... However, many parents like a whole word approach if they managed to read that way - I learned to read that way! - and the arguments for it can sound convincing to those not fully aware of how children learn and how they read... Especially when many children do learn to read like this; but, so many still aren't and those that do could still do it better and quicker!
The Government probably would have you believe standardsa re rising..... but so many news reports show that they have achieved pretty much nothing in getting children to read and it is still a huge worry.