James Dobson, a child psychologist who founded the conservative ministry Focus on the Family and was a politically influential campaigner against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, has died at age 89.
In case you weren’t sure how to feel about reading this obit, here’s a handful of this guy’s impact on the world…
Dobson viewed marriage as a transaction in which women exchange sex for protection: “The natural sex appeal of girls serves as their primary source of bargaining power in the game of life. In exchange for feminine affection and love, a man accepts a girl as his lifetime responsibility-supplying her needs and caring for her welfare. This sexual aspect of the marital agreement can hardly be denied.” — James Dobson, Dare to Discipline (1970)
Dobson opposed sex education curricula that were not abstinence-only and supported private school vouchers (taking funding away from public schools) and tax credits for religious schools.
Dobson contended that tolerance and diversity are “buzzwords” that were being misused as part of a “hidden agenda” to promote homosexuality. (citation)
In 2012, Dobson said that the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary (killing 26 people including 20 children) was a judgement by God because of American acceptance of gay marriage and legal abortion. (citation)
Dobson flip-flopped on his views on abortion, opting for silent support early in his career before changing course to be obstinately anti-abortion, insisting that abortion invites women to reject God, diverts women from their natural role as mothers, and prevents more Christians from coming into the world. (citation)
Dobson encouraged “daddy–daughter dating” in which fathers and daughters set aside time for special activities together. Because he believed heterosexuality must be cultivated, Dobson intended these romanticized attachments to model proper heterosexual partnership to girls age six or younger. (citation)
He viewed the gender binary as fundamental to humanity and waxed lovingly about historical periods where being transgender in a bathroom could get you killed. (citation)
I could go on, but I’m feeling the sudden urge to go dance in the street.
Was he ever accused on sexual harassment or assault? Did any minors accuse him of doing things? His resume sounds like someone who would do this kind of thing.
In case you weren’t sure how to feel about reading this obit, here’s a handful of this guy’s impact on the world…
I could go on, but I’m feeling the sudden urge to go dance in the street.
Update: for further reading, please have a look at the obituary written by Erik Loomis on the Lawyers Guns & Money blog. It’s outstanding.
Was he ever accused on sexual harassment or assault? Did any minors accuse him of doing things? His resume sounds like someone who would do this kind of thing.
The more I learn about this guy, the less I care for him.
I am pretty sure my Mom have me a copy of Dare to Discipline when my kids were preschool age. I never actually considered reading it though.
It says if you really loved your kids you should beat them.
Conservatives are far more likely than the baseline population to have been beaten as children. It’s a definite risk factor that should be eliminated.
If your mom is still alive and relying on you in her old age, you should read it and apply the lessons to her care.
Or, at least read it to her and suggest ways it might be applied to her care.