(Muara Digital Team) — Dr. James Dobson dedicated his life to conveying a message to America that many were reluctant to hear: The vitality of our country is closely tied to the robustness of our families.
For many years, progressive critics ridiculed Dobson, a pediatric psychologist and the head of Focus on the Family, calling him overly concerned, disconnected from reality, and even authoritarian in his opinions. However, history has shown Dobson to be correct, and we are now seeing the results of not heeding his warnings.
Currently, most children will not be raised by their married biological parents, according toresearchfrom the Heritage Foundation. The positive aspect is that this trend appears to have reached a low point and is beginning to show minimal signs of improvement. However, the decline of marriage as a standard has resulted in greater human hardship overall, including poor results in education, intergenerational poverty, mental health issues, isolation, and reduced life expectancy.
Progressives frequently view each of these issues as distinct and separate problems, yet numerous of them arise from the breakdown of the family structure.
The consequences that followed from our cultural disintegration were not unknown to Dobson. He recognized that numerous issues currently viewed as unsolvable are the inevitable outcome of pretending that marriage and family are important.
Too many people and organizations continue to accept the postmodern view that marriage is merely a personal lifestyle decision with no significant impact on society. Many parents, whose marriages end in divorce at a rate of almost 40% of all unions, fail to emphasize the value of marriage to their children. Secular liberal colleges and universities promote ideas that are against families, marriage, and raising children, often portraying marriage as an institution thatperpetuatesoppression, treating single individuals unfairly, as marriage promotes the view that single people are somewhat pitiable, in thewords of one philosopher.
Modern social science, in contrast, supports Dobson’s prophetic perspectives on marriage. History also demonstrates what occurs when the fragmented family becomes prevalent. Family disintegration, as research has indicated, generally results in theincrease of poverty, crime and epidemic loneliness. Children who grow up without a stable home environment are, on average, more likely to face greater risks foracademic, financial, and emotional challenges. Neighborhoods with high levels of family instabilityinevitably face challenges with increased levels of violence.
But even as progressives criticized Dobson and others who highlighted this issue, not everyone dismissed him. Millions of Americans purchased his books and tuned into his radio programs, shaping their lives according to Dobson’s teachings. Their families are better for it. Parents utilized his advice to raise what he referred to as “the”strong-willed childCouples followed his guidance to enhance their relationships. Churches utilized his insights to create ministries that provided encouragement. Thanks to Dobson’s dedicated efforts, many families are thriving today that might not have otherwise.
That is a significant legacy. Dobson’s impact is embedded in the lives of millions who discovered in him not only a commentator on culture, but a guide for living with faith and effectiveness.
Dobson’s defense presents us with a decision. We can mourn what we have lost, or we can take inspiration from his example and work to create strong marriages and families. We now understand, more than ever, what is effective. Lasting, affectionate marriages provide adults with meaning and happiness.
As stated by Brad Wilcox, head of the National Marriage Project, the most content Americans are not necessarily the richest or the most career-driven. Instead, they tend to be married, regularly attend religious services, and are often parents. Strong families provide children with the support needed to flourish.They offer communities the strength to endureto endure financial and cultural upheavals.
If the United States seeks revitalization, we should begin within our own communities. Religious institutions must prioritize marriage and family within their programs. Community leaders should understand that a healthy family is not only beneficial for individuals but also essential for society as a whole. Parents should view their marriages not solely as a commitment between two people, but as a legacy for their children and a contribution to future generations.
Dobson’s lifelong efforts were never focused on longing for an idealized past. They were centered on realism. In contrast to the utopians who criticized him, he understood that beyond this life, we will never achieve perfection. A Christian should consistently learn from history but aim for a more improved future.
However, his legacy is not about proving himself. It serves as a call to action. If we respond to his message by reinforcing marriages, supporting our children, and placing family at the forefront, his impact will remain relevant for many years to come.
(J.P. De Gance is the founder and president ofCommunio, a non-profit organization that empowers churches to foster healthy relationships, marriages, and families, and co-author of “Endgame: The Church’s Tactical Effort to Preserve Religion and Family Life in America.” The opinions stated in this commentary may not align with those of Religion News Service.
