Dobson's history of perverse and shocking ideas about raising children is well-documented, but has escaped much media scrutiny.
Why the media gives his man any credence whatsoever is one of the great mysteries of life that will never be adequately explained.
From Dobson's book "The Strong Willed Child":
Keep your children far away from Dobson - and anyone who follows his teachings. A recent profile of Dobson sheds some light on these questions. As it turns out, Dobson’s parents physically and mentally abused him as a child.
On p.15 Dobson tells the story of a mother who spanks her 5 year old daughter and locks her in the garage for throwing some stones at cars. On p.18 he tells the story of a mother who slaps her 18 month old 9 separate times for reaching for a candy dish. On p.20 he tells the story of a mother who counts to three "and if the kids had not minded by then, they would have to face the wooden spoon."
On p.61 Dobson says to spank a 6 year old for calling his parents "hot dog" or "moose" and on p.63 Dobson says to spank a 7 year old for lying.
On p. 135 Dobson is asked this question: "Q: How long do you think a child should be allowed to cry after being punished or spanked? Is there a limit? A: 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 can quickly change from inner sobbing to an expression of protest aimed at punishing the enemy. 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."
On p.136 Dobson recommends using a switch or paddle to beat children. (link above)
On p.137 Dobson says "The spanking may be too gentle. If it doesn't hurt, it doesn't motivate a child to avoid the consequence next time. A slap with the hand on the bottom of a diapered two-year-old is not a deterrent to anything. Be sure the child gets the message."
One can only imagine with horror what goes in this man's household. Sick and crazy
read it all -
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/24/11556/3067/35/541003
Full Version: James Dobson Story
I admit, I'm a spanker and I'm not ashamed of it. I've spanked both my kids on the bottom and slapped a hand from time to time. I think 6 is a good age to stop though, by then they completely understand the word no and understand the countdown preceding the spanking. I haven't spanked or slapped the hand of my eldest in over 2 years now. My youngest is still 4, every couple of months she does something that warrants a spanking. Mind you, I'm talking hands and bottom only. No spoon or other such crap and 2 or 3 hits on the behind. NEVER the face and never enough to do any harm. Mostly to shock.
QUOTE (plodder @ Jun 24 2008, 06:10 AM) 
Dobson's history of perverse and shocking ideas about raising children is well-documented, but has escaped much media scrutiny.
Why the media gives his man any credence whatsoever is one of the great mysteries of life that will never be adequately explained.
From Dobson's book "The Strong Willed Child":
Keep your children far away from Dobson - and anyone who follows his teachings. A recent profile of Dobson sheds some light on these questions. As it turns out, Dobson’s parents physically and mentally abused him as a child.
On p.15 Dobson tells the story of a mother who spanks her 5 year old daughter and locks her in the garage for throwing some stones at cars. On p.18 he tells the story of a mother who slaps her 18 month old 9 separate times for reaching for a candy dish. On p.20 he tells the story of a mother who counts to three "and if the kids had not minded by then, they would have to face the wooden spoon."
On p.61 Dobson says to spank a 6 year old for calling his parents "hot dog" or "moose" and on p.63 Dobson says to spank a 7 year old for lying.
On p. 135 Dobson is asked this question: "Q: How long do you think a child should be allowed to cry after being punished or spanked? Is there a limit? A: 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 can quickly change from inner sobbing to an expression of protest aimed at punishing the enemy. 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."
On p.136 Dobson recommends using a switch or paddle to beat children. (link above)
On p.137 Dobson says "The spanking may be too gentle. If it doesn't hurt, it doesn't motivate a child to avoid the consequence next time. A slap with the hand on the bottom of a diapered two-year-old is not a deterrent to anything. Be sure the child gets the message."
One can only imagine with horror what goes in this man's household. Sick and crazy
read it all -
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/24/11556/3067/35/541003
Why the media gives his man any credence whatsoever is one of the great mysteries of life that will never be adequately explained.
From Dobson's book "The Strong Willed Child":
Keep your children far away from Dobson - and anyone who follows his teachings. A recent profile of Dobson sheds some light on these questions. As it turns out, Dobson’s parents physically and mentally abused him as a child.
On p.15 Dobson tells the story of a mother who spanks her 5 year old daughter and locks her in the garage for throwing some stones at cars. On p.18 he tells the story of a mother who slaps her 18 month old 9 separate times for reaching for a candy dish. On p.20 he tells the story of a mother who counts to three "and if the kids had not minded by then, they would have to face the wooden spoon."
On p.61 Dobson says to spank a 6 year old for calling his parents "hot dog" or "moose" and on p.63 Dobson says to spank a 7 year old for lying.
On p. 135 Dobson is asked this question: "Q: How long do you think a child should be allowed to cry after being punished or spanked? Is there a limit? A: 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 can quickly change from inner sobbing to an expression of protest aimed at punishing the enemy. 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."
On p.136 Dobson recommends using a switch or paddle to beat children. (link above)
On p.137 Dobson says "The spanking may be too gentle. If it doesn't hurt, it doesn't motivate a child to avoid the consequence next time. A slap with the hand on the bottom of a diapered two-year-old is not a deterrent to anything. Be sure the child gets the message."
One can only imagine with horror what goes in this man's household. Sick and crazy
read it all -
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/24/11556/3067/35/541003
I just threw up.... what a man of god?!?!?!?!?!
QUOTE (KimFromLongIsland @ Jun 24 2008, 08:03 AM)
I admit, I'm a spanker and I'm not ashamed of it. I've spanked both my kids on the bottom and slapped a hand from time to time. I think 6 is a good age to stop though, by then they completely understand the word no and understand the countdown preceding the spanking. I haven't spanked or slapped the hand of my eldest in over 2 years now. My youngest is still 4, every couple of months she does something that warrants a spanking. Mind you, I'm talking hands and bottom only. No spoon or other such crap and 2 or 3 hits on the behind. NEVER the face and never enough to do any harm. Mostly to shock.
I'm not saying that I won't.... I was spanked and it only took a couple of times and I never needed it again. But I'm not down with young children being spanked for crying.... they can't communicate.... the child could be sick. It would have to be a serious offense....like risk of bodily injury to him or others....... It would have to be after everything else failed.
The secrets to parenting are just out of Carl Rogers respond to the child, respond to that child, respond to that child now, don't bring any preconceived notions to that child's care, and act as the noblest and best parent that you can be in the moment.
Anything else is an injustice.
"Spanking" is neither right nor wrong in general - but only has moral value when the rules above are applied or neglected.
Anything else is an injustice.
"Spanking" is neither right nor wrong in general - but only has moral value when the rules above are applied or neglected.
I raised 2 children of my own without spanking because generally I prefer to avoid it.
But now I find myself caregiver of my step-daughter's son (drugs, maybe some drug damage), and I'm finding the need sometimes to resort to spanking. The boy has problems with focus and attention, is easily distracted, I got him tested and in an early childhood program, and held him back a year for developmental kindergarten. Stern talk or (failing that) spanking does get attention, and I see his attention improving over the last 16 months, so mostly spanking has been replaced with the threat of spanking, and other means of improving focus and attention.
One of the difficult things is that before a point, spanking gives attention, rewarding behavior, and that is quite evident in my boy; without a little pain, spanking can be counterproductive by giving attention.
Feeling my way along ...
But now I find myself caregiver of my step-daughter's son (drugs, maybe some drug damage), and I'm finding the need sometimes to resort to spanking. The boy has problems with focus and attention, is easily distracted, I got him tested and in an early childhood program, and held him back a year for developmental kindergarten. Stern talk or (failing that) spanking does get attention, and I see his attention improving over the last 16 months, so mostly spanking has been replaced with the threat of spanking, and other means of improving focus and attention.
One of the difficult things is that before a point, spanking gives attention, rewarding behavior, and that is quite evident in my boy; without a little pain, spanking can be counterproductive by giving attention.
Feeling my way along ...
for my lad, a stern voice is the harshest thing i could do. I have to say, i now understand what my parents were saying when punishing me. its much harder on mom and dad.
Oh, I think I'd rather get into a lengthy debate about whether Democrats are failing democracy or being pragmatic and realistic in repeatedly choosing not to demand accountability from this White House than get into a debate over spanking. Each side is such a personally held belief, and each is convinced the other side is morally wrong, and the "victims" in the wrong decision are children.
I'm firmly in the no spanking crowd, but concede it's likely in part because, thanks to alcohol, violence went well beyond spanking in my house. I only too well remember the cinder block wall in the garage rushing up at me at the age of about 5. And I know how much good all that "discipline" did for me.
That old bit with the mother whacking her son and saying, "How (slap) many times (slap) do I (slap) have to tell you (slap) not to (slap) hit your sister? (slap) " always struck me as a bullseye.
Much of what is now perceived as Dobson's "credibility" came from the mini-ethics lessons he dispensed in one minute radio pieces that were distributed virtually free to radio stations nationwide, little parables on honesty and integrity lulling listeners into associating the guy with those principles. They were typically common sense examples where few could dispute the wisdom dispensed, and he became sort of a fatherly or grandfatherly voice of reason and good sense for thousands. Those got his foot in the door across the country, and gave him access to begin espousing his trash.
Dobson and Obama can disagree all they want about the proper interpretation of the Bible. But Barack Obama taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago for twelve years, while James Dobson has a long record of issuing utterly spurious declarations about the constitution with complete conviction.
A few years ago, Dobson was a fervent support of Roy Moore, who was ousted from his position of chief judge of the Alabama Supreme Court for defying a federal court order to remove the religious monument to the ten commandments he had installed in state courthouse.
I wrote about this in an op-ed in the Christian Science Monitor at the time:
At a rally on the courthouse steps, James Dobson said:
"I checked yesterday with my research team," Dr. Dobson announced. "There are only two references to religion in the Constitution." The first, from the preamble, he said, refers to securing "the blessings of liberty," which, he asserted, "came from God" (although there is nothing in the document to support that view.) The other was the First Amendment's establishment clause that, he said, "has given such occasion for mischief by the Supreme Court."
However, Dobson's researchers missed - or ignored - Article Six of the Constitution. That's the one barring religious tests for public office and set in motion disestablishment of the Christian churches that had served as arbiters of colonial citizenship and government for 150 years.
Mainstream historian Gary Wills writes that the framers' major innovation was "disestablishment."
In a November 2006 interview with Larry King, Dobson indulged in some well debunked revisionist history.
"Church-state separation" is a metaphor for what certainly was and is the spirit of the First Amendment's religion clauses - government is to be neutral toward religion to the end of ensuring religious liberty.
read it all -
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/2.../8677/67/540971
A few years ago, Dobson was a fervent support of Roy Moore, who was ousted from his position of chief judge of the Alabama Supreme Court for defying a federal court order to remove the religious monument to the ten commandments he had installed in state courthouse.
I wrote about this in an op-ed in the Christian Science Monitor at the time:
At a rally on the courthouse steps, James Dobson said:
"I checked yesterday with my research team," Dr. Dobson announced. "There are only two references to religion in the Constitution." The first, from the preamble, he said, refers to securing "the blessings of liberty," which, he asserted, "came from God" (although there is nothing in the document to support that view.) The other was the First Amendment's establishment clause that, he said, "has given such occasion for mischief by the Supreme Court."
However, Dobson's researchers missed - or ignored - Article Six of the Constitution. That's the one barring religious tests for public office and set in motion disestablishment of the Christian churches that had served as arbiters of colonial citizenship and government for 150 years.
Mainstream historian Gary Wills writes that the framers' major innovation was "disestablishment."
In a November 2006 interview with Larry King, Dobson indulged in some well debunked revisionist history.
"Church-state separation" is a metaphor for what certainly was and is the spirit of the First Amendment's religion clauses - government is to be neutral toward religion to the end of ensuring religious liberty.
read it all -
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/2.../8677/67/540971
QUOTE (KaydensMommy @ Jun 24 2008, 08:59 AM)
I'm not saying that I won't.... I was spanked and it only took a couple of times and I never needed it again. But I'm not down with young children being spanked for crying.... they can't communicate.... the child could be sick. It would have to be a serious offense....like risk of bodily injury to him or others....... It would have to be after everything else failed.
Spanking for crying is crazy. Spanking should be the thing that makes them cry! LoL
I found the best response was logical altenatives to dangerous or bad behaviour.
For example if the kids are playing with something that could be dangerous to themselves or others you give them another item to play with or something else to do.
I never hit my kids and they are I would have to say very well adjusted now that they are in their early 20's..........
I think a lot of it depends on your upbringing [i](dobson suffered from lunatic parents) and how intellectually stable your parent(s) are. Mine were of the engineering field so I think that gave them a certain perspective on problem solving that instinctively made them seek the most logical solution to the problem and I guess that carried over to me and hopefully to my kids.
But more on Dobson....................[/i]
Huffington Post here has Obama's rebuttal to Dobson's radio broadcast today accusing him of "distorting the bible".
But religious leaders namely, Kirbyjon Caldwell, the Texas minister who married Bush's daughter, prayed at Bush's inauguration and now supports Obama has along with other religious leaders launched a Web Site called:
james dobson doesn't speak for me
Please check out the site in a show of solitarity behind Obama.
http://www.jamesdobsondoesntspeakforme.com/
Obama's rebuttal
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/24/o...f_n_109032.html
For example if the kids are playing with something that could be dangerous to themselves or others you give them another item to play with or something else to do.
I never hit my kids and they are I would have to say very well adjusted now that they are in their early 20's..........
I think a lot of it depends on your upbringing [i](dobson suffered from lunatic parents) and how intellectually stable your parent(s) are. Mine were of the engineering field so I think that gave them a certain perspective on problem solving that instinctively made them seek the most logical solution to the problem and I guess that carried over to me and hopefully to my kids.
But more on Dobson....................[/i]
Huffington Post here has Obama's rebuttal to Dobson's radio broadcast today accusing him of "distorting the bible".
But religious leaders namely, Kirbyjon Caldwell, the Texas minister who married Bush's daughter, prayed at Bush's inauguration and now supports Obama has along with other religious leaders launched a Web Site called:
james dobson doesn't speak for me
Please check out the site in a show of solitarity behind Obama.
http://www.jamesdobsondoesntspeakforme.com/
Obama's rebuttal
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/24/o...f_n_109032.html
QUOTE (KimFromLongIsland @ Jun 25 2008, 02:42 AM)
Spanking for crying is crazy. Spanking should be the thing that makes them cry! LoL
Then again, there's that old line, "I'm gonna give you something to cry about."
QUOTE (carmenjonze @ Jun 25 2008, 06:05 AM)
Then again, there's that old line, "I'm gonna give you something to cry about."
I hate that line, truly. From my perspective if a kid is crying from something they did that was "wrong" it's because what they did hurt them physically or emotionally and therefore they already learned the lesson not to do it again. In this case I would hug my kid and just stress "now you know not to do that again", after making sure they are not seriously hurt of course.
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