Media Whitewashes Dobson, Hides 'Beat-Your-Child' Dogma

This week, right-wing pundit and leader of the 'beat your children' movement, Dr. James Dobson, accused Sen. Barack Obama of committing violence against Biblical teachings.

Despite Dobson being a best-selling self-help guru famous for advising parents to whip their children with sticks, every mainstream media outlet somehow managed to overlook this fact. Instead, media coverage of Dobson's remarks stripped him of any and all potential controversy with respect to his views on parenting and child beating, describing him instead with the vague and anodyne term 'Evangelical.'

True -- Dobson is a leading voice of sorts amongst some Evangelical Christians. Still, the question the media should be posing to the public is not about his religion, but about his violent views of parenting: Should a man who pushes parents to use pain to train their children have a prominent place in the 2008 presidental election or American politics at all?

Uh, no. It is high time that Americans of all political and religious persuasions looked Dr. James Dobson in the eye and said, "Leave us alone."

Americans do not believe that the the judicious application of pain is the key to good parenting.

In fact, Dobson's passionate belief that parents should beat their children as a way of showing their love for them is so disturbing to Americans that one wonders why a violence obsessed media would choose not to report it -- if only for cynical reasons.

Consider this quote from Dobson's best-selling parenting self-help book Dare to Discipline in which Dobson recounts the fanciful "story" he used to tel his children to explain why beating them was a sign of love and what would happen to them if they did not submit to his authority:

"I knew of a little bird who was in his next with his mommy. The mommy bird went off to find some worms to eat, and she told the little bird not to get out of the nest while she was gone. But the little bird didn't mind her. He jumped out of the nest and fell to the ground where a big cat got him. When I tell you to mind me, it is because I know what is best for you, just as the mommy bird did with her baby bird. When I tell you to stay in the front yard, it's because I don't want you to run in the street and get hit by a car. I love you, and I don't want anything to happen to you. If you don't mind me, I'll have to spank you to help you remember how important it is. Do you understand?" (p. 23, The New Dare To Discipline)

In other words, 'Listen to Daddy or a big cat will eat you,' and, 'If I spank you it's only because you made me.'

The deception in Dobson's parable of the little bird eaten by a cat, of course, is that it seems to be saying that only bad kids get spanked. Not true. The more we read of Dare to Discipline, the more it becomes clear that all children must be beaten in Dobson's universe. One cannot raise a healthy child, according to Dobson, without at some point breaking the so-called natural rebelliousness of the child by beating them -- preferably with an object that causes sharp and memorable pain. The converse is also true: in Dobson's violent vision of America, there is no such thing as a healthy, well-adjusted child who does not have fond memories of their first welt from mommy's wooden spoon or daddy's belt. Dobson recalls his own first moment of truly understanding how important discipline was in a story about disrespect, his mother, and a wire girdle loaded with metal clips and straps:

The day I learned the importance of staying out of reach shines like a neon light in my mind. I made the costly mistake of sassing her when I was about four feet away. I knew I had crossed the line and wondered what she would do about it. It didn't take long to find out. Mom wheeled around to grab something with which to express her displeasure, and her hand landed on a girdle.

Those were the days when a girdle was lined with rivets and mysterious panels. She drew back and swung the abominable garment in my direction, and I can still hear it whistling through the air. The intended blow caught me across the chest, followed by a multitude of straps and buckles, wrapping themselves around my midsection. She gave me an entire thrashing with one blow! But from that day forward, I measured my words carefully when addressing my mother. I never spoke disrespectfully to her again, even when she was seventy-five years old. (p. 23-24, The New Dare To Discipline)

Now...when I read about Dobson scaring his kids into thinking they will be eaten by a cat if they do not heed his authority -- or read him wax romantically about his mom wounding his midsection with a mid-century girdle -- the absolute last question that pops into my head is, "What can I do to make this man an influential figure in U.S. politics?"

Egads, no. Show this guy the door.

Unfortunately, the media seems hell-bent on ignoring Dobson's beat-your-children dogma -- what is truly shocking about him as a public figure -- to focus instead on manufacturing yet another boring story about Christians who, supposedly, reject the candidacy of the Democratic nominee for President.

Beyond the fact that this is just lazy reporting, it is also inaccurate.

According to a February study of voting patterns amongst religious voters conducted by The Barna Group, Evangelical support for Republican over Democratic Presidential candidates might have been the story in past elections, but not this time. In the election of 2008, the big story is that voters who self-identify as 'Born Again' -- who make up a significant voting block in the Presidential race -- have swung decisively for Obama:

In 1992, born again voters sided with Republican incumbent George H.W. Bush over Democratic challenger Bill Clinton by a 39% to 35% margin. In the 1996 election, born again voters again sided with the Republican candidate (Bob Dole) rather than the incumbent Democratic President Bill Clinton by a 49% to 43% margin. In the 2000 election, the born again constituency gave Republican nominee George W. Bush a resounding 57% to 42% margin over Democratic challenger Al Gore. In 2004, the born again segment again sided with George W. Bush, giving him a lopsided 62% to 38% preference over Democratic hopeful John Kerry.

In the past couple of elections, the born again vote represented about half of the total number of votes cast in the U.S. Given the razor thin margin of victory achieved by President Bush in 2000, and the close tally in 2004, the born again vote was vital in both of the Bush victories.

Compared to recent presidential elections, the current leanings of the born again constituency have reversed. The new Barna study shows that if the election were to be held today, 40% of all born again adults who are likely to vote in November would choose the Democratic candidate and just 29% would choose the Republican candidate. The remaining 28% are currently not sure whom they would choose, preferring to make their selection on the basis of the candidate than strictly on the basis of his or her party affiliation. ("Born Again Voters No Longer Favor Republican Candidates," Feb 4, 2008)

If this is the case -- if the big story this year is that born again votes support the Democratic candidate over the Republican candidate, and that this swing could be the decisive change from 2000, 2004, and 2006, one wonders why America's major news outlets are all trying to twist the Dobson story into some overblown clash of cultures between Christians and Obama.

Is the media ignorant of who James Dobson really is? Are they lazy? Are they bored?

I have no idea, but I can promise you this: if the media does stop this distortion of the Dobson story and start giving the public the information they really need to make good decisions in this election -- I suspect they will all be eaten by a big cat.

Comments

[AtlantaBlueNProud]

I trully hope this Presidential election will show Dobson and his ilk that most Americans now know how phony and bigoted these 'Christian leaders' are.

Obama "08

[Trittydi]

And then there's this insightful bit from Dobson himself in one of his books, (available at numerous sites). If you love dogs, reading this will sicken you. He's sick, sick, sick. Someone beat him as a child - no doubt about it . But when they become dangerous to other living creatures, it's hard to feel sorry for them. But Dobson clearly feels justified and righteous concerning his vile behaviors ~~

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2006/06/24/573/54203
*

[popmanifesto]

Yesterday it was revealed that the Justice Dept. illegally imposed a Republican loyalty test in the hiring of recent law school grads to highly competitive and prestigious positions. But you would have been hard pressed to find that headline on the major news sites. Instead, their top headline was something some whacko squeaky wheel said about Obama. Sometimes it feels like this country has entered a long tunnel with no light at the end.

[PioneerKing]

popmanifesto

it's as though certain folks want to keep the republican trolls busy defending the indefensible crap that the hypocritical "strong on family values," "strong on morals," republicans profess
it really bites when the rest of America wants to focus on reall issues such as McCain's flip-flopping
trying to get the main stream media to focus on McCains addlepated blatherings on topics such as sending America's nuclear waste to be disposed of in third world countries and all of the other idiotic blatherings that McCain spews

[Levittown]

THE MEDIA IS MEDIOCRE NOTHING MORE NEED BE SAID.

[demigod]

The media is corporate owned. That means REPUBLICANS own it. They are not about to broadcast anything that harms their "brand" or exposes any of their fascist power grabs. DEFEAT ALL REPUBLICANS in November.

[brijit]

Acouple of years ago, 5280, a mainstream Denver magazine did a feature story on Dobson. Here are a few excerpts:
"Once, as Dobson writes in The New Strong-Willed Child, Jimbo (Dobson) provoked a fight between a pug bulldog and a "sweet, passive Scottie named Baby" by throwing a tennis ball toward Baby: "The bulldog went straight for Baby"s throat and hung on. It was an awful scene. Neighbors came running from everywhere as the Scottie screamed in terror. It took ten minutes and a garden hose for the adults to pry loose the bulldog"s grip. By then Baby was almost dead. He spent two weeks in the animal hospital, and I spent two weeks in the doghouse. I was hated by the entire town."

"One evening, after Dobson"s mother forbid him from going to a dance, the recalcitrant teenager told her that he was going anyway; she picked up the telephone and called her husband. 'I need you,' she said.

"' What happened in the next few days shocked me down to my toes,' writes Dobson. His father canceled the next four years" worth of speaking engagements, put the Oklahoma house up for sale, and took a pastor"s job in San Benito, Texas, a small town near the Mexican border."

Is it just me or are these people insane?

[Marco]

Don't diss Mr. Dobson. He's got excellent parenting advice especially when it comes to nipping your son's potential homosexuality in the bud.

"Meanwhile, the boy's father has to do his part. He needs to mirror and affirm his son's maleness. He can play rough-and-tumble games with his son, in ways that are decidedly different from the games he would play with a little girl. He can help his son learn to throw and catch a ball. He can teach him to pound a square wooden peg into a square hole in a pegboard. He can even take his son with him into the shower, where the boy cannot help but notice that Dad has a penis, just like his, only bigger."

[KHAAANNN]

What do you expect from a guy who is so deep in the closet he is finding Christmas presents?
People who rail against homosexual behavior do so because thoughts of that behavior excite them and they are terrified that one day they will lose control and act out that excitement. It is a classic case of projection, i.e.; that which you hate is that which you secretly desire.
The same thing occurs with the "beat your kid" behavior. Dobson secretly gets off on torture (just like GWB does) so he seeks out dominate-aggressive behavior that is "socially acceptable" and then rationalizes the rest.
He has all the classic signs of a psychopath, torture of animals at a young age, an obsessive need to dominate others, delusional thinking. The fact that he is a self-hating gay man is just something the exacerbates his already twisted Psyche.

[babylonandon]

I hate to bust your little bubble here but, MOST of the folks who rail against the gay lifestyle don't do so because they really care what you do with your partners in your own privacy.

Most of the folks who have issues with the GLBT folks have a problem with some of them trying to seduce young adults into checking out the lifestyle (we call that "seduction" which has a particular temptation to inquisitive teenagers).

The "issues"part becomes especially acute when it is readily apparent that the GLBT folks are attempting to have this "lifestyle exploration" become a part of the public education system while at the same time driving out any of the ideologies that oppose seducing people to the GLBT lifestyle.

[jupitor]

Sit on it Marco! Not all boys have to play foot ball or basket ball to be a true boy! There is so much more in this world now! Mine likes the trampeline, skateboard,motor cycle and etc. but he hates to play football, but likes to watch it on tV. don't care for basketball at all, and believe me he's all boy. he enjoys camping and fishing and art! Stop putting your girls and boys into this little square box. Often the father and sons interest are not compatable, and they have to compromise. But shute most men don't stick around these days to raise their kids! My dad lowered his voice and we knew we did something wrong, and we obeyed out of respect and not fear of him! My dad might have leaned down and whooped me on my hind side maybe three time's in my life time! It is not abusive , but a attention getter that said you listen because if you don't you be in danger! we lived on a farm and there was a lot of dangers. A Sow who refused to move, and took you! A bull who turned on you during round up. A silo being filled with corn and open to falling if u didn't watch yourstep. So a sound whoop on the rear hurts no one! Beating a child is never necesary!

[chamay0]

Let's see I have two children. One, my oldest, I had spanked once with a paddle and gave three wacks iwho turn out to ben an honor student and the other has never been spanked and is just as respectful and polite that you could only wish she was yours. This belief of beating the message into your children is beyond overated. Talking is a higher quality of communication. If you are a parent of absent attention of what is going on in the world of your child and wishing to not deal with your child's word, yea you will have problems. Trust me if you take an active voice and let your child know that yes you are interested even through the troubled teenage years you can make a difference. I am so proud of my daughters I can scream.

Both of them have helped me to understand (as well as my own mother who came up in a world where a switch was the appropriate answer to all offenses but spared me the abuse) that hitting is not the answer. A lot of love, understanding and communication goes a heck of a long way. Even though the Bible says spare the rod and spoil the child, like others quotes I do not believe it should be taken literally. Open your eyes, mind and give attention to what's important to them is a much better approach in the 21st century.

[SignedSealedDelivered]

ugh, can't stand dobson, but some kids need to get the hell beat out of them...sorry.

[Grada3784]

Siunds like you think you might have been one of them.

[TeriLyn]

What the media needs to do is not dignify these religous wackos with coverage. This is America, not the Middle East where religion is embedded in all of their political processes. Religion and politics don't mix, unless you live in Iran. The past 7-1/2 years have proven that consulting with, and speaking for the imaginary supernatural doesn't work. It only has disasterous and heart-wrenching consequences.

[Plus15]

The Rev Dobson is obviously a great guy in so many ways. Here is an interesting direct quote from his book which adds layers to the picture of who this supposedly religious leader is and what he believes in and what a brave fighter he is for America and his beliefs.

James Dobson: "When I returned I held up the belt and again told my angry dog to get into his bed. He stood his ground, so I gave him a firm swat across the rear end and he tried to bite the belt. The tiny dog and I had the most vicious fight ever staged between man and beast¦ I eventually got him to bed, but only because I outweighed him 200 to 12".


When I first heard the story of the Dobson attack on Obama last night James Dobson was described by the newsreader as an expert in parenting.

[mollysgran]

Actually, Dobson is NOT a Reverend -- he is a child psychologist. He PRETENDS to be a holy man.

Here is a snipit from a website that puffs up his credentials:

"When asked "How long do you think a child should be allowed to cry after being punished? Is there a limit?" Dobson responded

:"Yes, I believe there should be a limit. As long as the tears represent a genuine release of emotion, they should be permitted to fall. But crying quickly changes from inner sobbing to an expression of protest... Real crying usually lasts two minutes or less but may continue for five. After that point, the child is merely complaining, and the change can be recognized in the tone and intensity of his voice. I would require him to stop the protest crying, usually by offering him a little more of whatever caused the original tears. In younger children, crying can easily be stopped by getting them interested in something else."

http://www.troubledwith.com/stellent/groups/public/%5C@fotf_troubledwith/documents/articles/twi_012701.cfm?channel=Parenting%20Children&topic=Discipline&sssct=Questions%20and%20Answers

I think he is a FREAK - his "Focus on the Money ---uh, I mean Family" is really Hocus Pocus.

[mbh78213]

Where did he get his degree? Shudder.

[mbh78213]

Wonderful -- "The Prophet vs. The Chihuahua." And he isn't even too embarrassed to write about it. I wonder what the dog whisperer would have to say about that one. Calm-assertive? Not even.

[fourthson]

James Dobson is the right wing Jerimiah Wright. Unfortunately his 15 minutes have outlasted Rev Wright way to long. Just as I wonder who the 25% of the popluation is who approve of George Bush, I wonder who the Hell gives a big Rat's Ass about anything Dobson says!

[midknightryder13]

I think comparing the two is a stretch at best. Does Rev. Wright have his own radio program that's carried by more than 1,000 stations? Does his organization have a 'separate' (wink-wink, nudge-nudge) PAC lobbying his positions? Does Rev. Wright come from the dominate culture where the power lies?

I could go on, but you get the idea.

[TommyMcCarthy]

This article contains an excellent example of the difference between a blog and an article in a reputable publication vetted by fact checkers and editors.

Third highlighted box from the top...
Second paragraph
First sentence

And I Quote:
"In the past couple of elections, the born again vote represented about half of the total number of votes cast in the U.S."

???!!!
Everyone who believes that it has EVER been true that anything like HALF OF THE TOTAL VOTES CAST IN THE US have been cast by people who self-identify as born again please raise their hands!
Let's start with Mr. Feldman.....is this something you believe to be accurate?

Sure, it's a blog....but are there to be absolutely NO standards for accuracy? Can just ANYTHING be printed as true and go unchallenged and uncorrected?

Outrageous! I'm curious to see if this comment will be posted....................................................tm

[PioneerKing]

Yes let"s stick to facts such as the following quotes from James Dobson proponent of animal and child abuse:
"..."That tiny dog and I had the most vicious fight ever staged between man and beast. I fought him up one wall and down the other, with both of us scratching and clawing and growling and swinging the belt."
"When I told Sigmund to leave his warm seat and go to bed, he flattened his ears and slowly turned his head toward me. He deliberately braced himself by placing one paw on the edge of the furry lid, then hunched his shoulders, raised his lips to reveal the molars on both sides, and uttered his most threatening growl. That was Siggie's way of saying. "Get lost!"
"I had seen this defiant mood before, and knew there was only one way to deal with it. The ONLY way to make Siggie obey is to threaten him with destruction. Nothing else works. I turned and went to my closet and got a small belt to help me 'reason' with Mr. Freud
DIDN"T MICHAEL VICK GET SENT TO JAIL FOR ANIMAL ABUSE
Someone call the cops and animal control!!
DOBSON IS A REPULSIVE, REPUGNANT, HYPOCRIT

[TommyMcCarthy]

While i don't completely understand the gist of "pioneerKing's" comment......

I can only hope he/she does not think I DISAGREE on Dobson's repulsiveness, repugnance, or hypocrisy.

Thanx for your response....................er.................I think...............................tm

[oldwiseone]

It is not the media, it is who owns the media....

[caseyblab]

Dobson probably recognizes his growing irrelevance and needs a hit of attention- he seems to shit-stir when he isn't in the news. He is hardly qualified to speak with authority about the Bible.

[princessofnowt]

There absolutely has to be a hooker or a dominatrix who can spill the beans on this Dobson guy.
A classic specimen.
Am I right, profilers?

[PioneerKing]

LMAO

[hopeless277]

To answer your question, because he has money and TV cameras.

[Roamoff]

Those who believe corporal punishment (torture or spanking) works need to be tortured until they acknowledge that it does not. Think about it.

[mmmd]

A recent poll showed 44 percent of Americans support torture when done to their enemies.