James Dobson

James Dobson is a pediatric psychologist whose organization, Focus on the Family, is the core of an influential multimedia group that advocates practices derived from evangelical Christian values. Dobson received his PhD. in child development from the University of Southern California and spent the late 1960s and early '70s as a professor and clinician. His book, Dare to Discipline (1970) was a best-seller, a direct assault on what Dobson saw as the evils of "permissive parenting." The author of several self-help books and the founder of an internationally broadcast radio show, Dobson also lectures often and wields considerable influence in the political arena, thanks to the political arm of his organization, the Family Research Council. He has been active in the Republican party since the administration of Ronald Reagan and was considered a behind-the-scenes power broker for his involvement in the administration of George W. Bush. Dobson is a well-known opponent of homosexuality and same-sex marriage and in recent years has made headlines for comments regarding the "homosexual agenda" of the mainstream media. In 2005 he made headlines for his comments comparing embryonic stem cell research with experiments conducted by Nazi Germany during World War II. He resigned from his post as chairman of Focus on the Family in 2009, but continued to host the radio program.