Dr. James Dobson, founder and leader of Focus on the Family, spoke at a “Yes on 8” prayer event at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on November 1, 2008, while his wife Shirley Dobson watched. AP
James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family and a leading voice in the Christian right, died Thursday at 89. He shaped American conservative politics, campaigning against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. Dobson’s work influenced legislation and provided guidance to several U.S. presidents over decades.
Early Life and Rise to Prominence
Dobson was born in 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He trained as a child psychologist and launched a radio program to advise Christians on parenting. In 1977, he started Focus on the Family, which grew to more than 1,000 employees at its peak. The ministry aired on 4,000 radio stations and published over 70 books translated into 27 languages.
He worked alongside figures like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson in the 1980s, helping bring conservative Christian ideals into mainstream politics. Dobson’s influence extended to advising five U.S. presidents.
Political Influence
Dobson interviewed President Ronald Reagan in 1985 and was later called a “rising star” by Falwell. He also advised President Donald Trump in 2016. In 2022, Dobson praised Trump for appointing conservative Supreme Court justices, noting their role in allowing states to ban abortion.
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said Dobson belongs on the “Mount Rushmore” of Christian conservatives for promoting biblical values and opposing progressive parenting trends.
Parenting and Controversial Views
Dobson’s 1970 book Dare to Discipline encouraged parents to spank children for discipline, emphasizing controlled and purposeful discipline over anger. While controversial, supporters said his guidance helped some parents become more effective and involved in their children’s lives.
Historian John Fea noted that even critics of Dobson’s politics recognized how his advice improved parenting in some households.
Potential Presidential Run
Dobson considered running for president in 2000 but ultimately did not. Conservative activist Ralph Reed recalled how Dobson’s radio voice reached millions, shaping political views across rural America.
Focus on the Family and Colorado Springs
Focus on the Family moved to Colorado Springs in the 1990s, turning the city into a hub for evangelical activity. Dobson built a network of Family Policy Councils in around 40 states, influencing socially conservative legislation.
Political Spending and Legacy
Records show that Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council spent over $4 million on political ads and nearly $2 million lobbying Congress since the late 1990s. Dobson left Focus on the Family in 2010 and founded the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute. He continued hosting the Family Talk radio show, with more than 500,000 weekly listeners.
Opposition to LGBTQ+ Rights
Dobson promoted programs claiming that people could change their sexuality, a practice known as conversion therapy, which is widely discredited and banned in multiple U.S. states. In 2021, he publicly supported stories of people “no longer struggling with homosexuality” after ministry participation.
Family and Survivors
Dobson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley, their two children, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. His influence on conservative Christianity and American politics remains significant and controversial.
