Extract of DR. Paul Meier's biography on the website of the Meier Clinics:
Paul Meier is an MD/Psychiatrist/Ordained Minister who is the founder of the national chain of non-profit Christian psychiatry clinics, the Meier Clinics. He has authored or co-authored over 80 books, mostly Christian self-help books like Love is a Choice and Happiness is a Choice, and also a series of Bible Prophecy novels, including The Third Millennium.
Only read this book if you're looking for something to hurl across the room. This. is. certifiably. irresponsible.
Meier is an integrationist and a graduate of Dallas Theo and has taught at TEDS in Illinois. So he represents that aspect of evangelical child-rearing experts.
I *get* what he's trying to do. He's trying to say that a good "self-image" goes a long way in making a happy and productive citizen. I choose to read this as follows: in the 70s "a healthy self-image" was the particular god-term for a moral and responsible person. Whatever. I'm not going to get hung up on that.
It *is* true that a "good self-image" comes from a person who is loved, has limits, and has a purpose. That's basic stuff that is still repeated today (see Tim Kimmel for a better take on these ideas).
But gee whiz, Dr. Meier. Did you mom wean you too early? You have such loathing for women in general and mothers in particular that I'm actually embarrassed to read your chapter on "how to raise emotionally disturbed children." Pick any childhood malady or parenting worry -- from bedwetting to anorexia to klutsiness -- and ol' Doc Meier can tell you the cause! Mom. Mom, mom, mom. You can make your child wet the bed (are you ready for this one? Put any beverage down so that you don't spit it on the keyboard.) following these simple rules (75-76):
"1) Mothers should be divorced or married to husbands who are almost always gone.
2) Be ambivalent toward motherhood (Women's Libbers again).
3) Show the rejection you feel for your child by being domineering, overintruding, and overprotective.
4) Openly criticize your husband for being stupid, socially inept, and gone all the time.
5) Isolate your feelings and show a real lack of warmth.
6) Nag a lot.
7) Be preoccupied with your child's intestinal functions.
8) Mother and father should argue openly and frequently about how to raise a child.
9) If and when the fathers are home, they should be weak and ineffectual.
10) It will help if you force toilet-training on your child because he is neurologically ready for it."
Frankly, that's his advice for every bad thing that could happen. Even being klutzy.
Thanks bunches for the love, Dr. Meier.
IOW, stay away from this book! It's just awful. It makes Dobson look like a prince.