Dare to Discipline [Paperback]

James C. Dobson (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Gospel Light Pubns (June 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830701540
• ISBN-13: 978-0830701544
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,002,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James C. Dobson, Ph.D., is founder and chairman emeritus of Focus on the Family, a nonprofit organization that produced his internationally syndicated radio programs, heard by more than 200 million people every day. A licensed psychologist and marriage, family, and child counselor, he earned a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California in the field of child development. The author of more than 30 books, including his most recent bestseller, Bringing Up Boys, he has been heavily involved in governmental activities related to the family. Dr. Dobson is married to Shirley and they reside in Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Concerned Parent, August 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Dare to Discipline (Paperback)

Book should be entitled "Dare to Hit Your Child with Whatever is Handy". Dobsen extolls virtues of his wife snapping their not yet two-year-old with a switch across the shins, can you imagine? He also attests that he received great benefit, as a child, by being spontaneously walloped by his mom's girdle, complete with buckles and straps.

The fact is, that spontaneous anger from a parent can be beneficial to a child, in seeing that his actions may set off undesired reactions. Yet, spontaneous violence sends an absolutely wrong message of physical superiority making "right" in a confrontational situation.

My children turned out quite well, I think with equal parts luck, love, and parental boundries. I didn't get anything from this book (I read it years ago) that I utilized in child-rearing, except a dedication to never hit my children.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dare to Discipline - Book, March 8, 2010

By 

Kimberle Duncan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dare to Discipline (Mass Market Paperback)

The book is great. Everyone with children or who are planning to have children should read this. I purchased the book used, and it is in great shape.

1.0 out of 5 stars Worst possible book for adult survivors of childhood abuse, June 26, 2011

By 

John Thornton (Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dare to Discipline (Paperback)

"Dare to Discipline" by Dr. James Dobson is a dangerous book that can lead to child abuse. If you are an adult person who had abusive parents, and you are trying to break the cycle of abuse, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK.

The concepts in "Dare to Disciple" about overcoming a child's will and Dobson's ongoing pushing of the "need" for correction can come off, to an abuse survivor, as justification for physical abuse of a child. This is a terrible tragedy, as proper discipline and guidance are essential for a child, but a safe pattern for that is not found in "Dare to Discipline."

Any person who grew up physically, emotionally, or abused in any other way needs to AVOID Dr. Dobson's concepts, especially "Dare to Discipline."

In order for adult abuse survivors to be good parents, they need to deal with the faulty "discipline" and abusive patterns that were beaten into them. That will be greatly hindered if abuse survivors read books by Dr. James Dobson.

First adult abuse survivors need to relearn proper childhood and to heal from the abuse. An excellent book for that is, "Adult Children of Abusive Parents: A Healing Program for Those Who Have Been Physically, Sexually, or Emotionally Abused" by Steven Farmer.

Christianity offers healing and hope for people, but for those who survived abusive parents (especially those who did the abuse form a religious motive) must avoid Dr. James Dobson's concepts. A good resource for that is "The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse" by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen.

I am not meaning to put down Dr. James Dobson, but his work is truly dangerous for adult survivors of childhood abuse.

Thanks for reading my review.