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Straight Talk to Men and Their Wives; What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Women
Offers a Christian perspective on the role of men as husbands and fathers, and suggests how to balance the demands of family and work
403 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1980
About the author
James C. Dobson
255 books384 followersA licensed psychologist and marriage, family, and child counselor, Dr. James Dobson was a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. For 14 years Dr. Dobson was an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, and he served for 17 years on the attending staff of Children's Hospital Los Angeles in the Division of Child Development and Medical Genetics. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California (1967) in the field of child development.
He was the author of more than 50 books, including The New Dare to Discipline, The New Strong-Willed Child, When God Doesn't Make Sense, Night Light: A Devotional for Couples, Bringing Up Boys, and the New York Times bestseller Bringing Up Girls .
Heavily involved in influencing governmental policies related to the family, Dr. Dobson was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the National Advisory Commission to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. He also served on the Attorney General's Advisory Board on Missing and Exploited Children, the Department of Health and Human Services' Panel on Teen Pregnancy Prevention, and the Commission on Child and Family Welfare. He was elected in 2008 to the National Radio Hall of Fame, and in 2009 received the Ronald Reagan Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was the author of more than 50 books, including The New Dare to Discipline, The New Strong-Willed Child, When God Doesn't Make Sense, Night Light: A Devotional for Couples, Bringing Up Boys, and the New York Times bestseller Bringing Up Girls .
Heavily involved in influencing governmental policies related to the family, Dr. Dobson was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the National Advisory Commission to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. He also served on the Attorney General's Advisory Board on Missing and Exploited Children, the Department of Health and Human Services' Panel on Teen Pregnancy Prevention, and the Commission on Child and Family Welfare. He was elected in 2008 to the National Radio Hall of Fame, and in 2009 received the Ronald Reagan Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 10, 2017
Skim and pass on
Dobson uses the life and values of his father to teach about what it is to be a man of God in the various seasons of life. Nothing ground-breaking here, but useful to jump start your thinking about intentional living as a man, husband, father. His most direct "confrontation" is on men's tendency to be too busy for the important roles and relationships in their lives.
There were a couple times where I felt he may have crossed from Biblical manhood and womanhood to folksy traditionalism which seemed borderline disrespectful of woman.
Dobson repeats a lot of his info and illustrations in various books, so if you have read others by him a quick skim is probably enough.
Dobson uses the life and values of his father to teach about what it is to be a man of God in the various seasons of life. Nothing ground-breaking here, but useful to jump start your thinking about intentional living as a man, husband, father. His most direct "confrontation" is on men's tendency to be too busy for the important roles and relationships in their lives.
There were a couple times where I felt he may have crossed from Biblical manhood and womanhood to folksy traditionalism which seemed borderline disrespectful of woman.
Dobson repeats a lot of his info and illustrations in various books, so if you have read others by him a quick skim is probably enough.
August 20, 2024
TWO OF DR. DOBSON'S MOST POPULAR BOOKS, IN A SINGLE VOLUME
James Clayton "Jim" Dobson, Jr. (born 1936) is a psychologist, radio broadcaster, and author, and founder in 1977 of Focus on the Family (FOTF), which he led until 2003. He currently hosts the radio program "Family Talk with Dr. James Dobson." He has written many other books, such as 'Dare to Discipline,' 'Emotions Can You Trust Them,' 'Dr. Dobson Answers Your Questions,' etc.
He wrote in the second chapter of STTMATW, "I had asked the Lord, as a special favor, to reveal His message to the Christian family... But this was God's reply, translated into my own words: 'If America is going to survive the incredible stresses and dangers it now faces, it will be because husbands and fathers again place their families at the highest level on their system of priorities, reserving a portion of their time and energy for leadership within their homes!'" (Pg. 20-21) He adds, "The purpose of this book, then, is to sound a call to arms... I hope to offer a redefinition of masculinity. The Judeo-Christian concept of manliness has been blurred by the Women's Liberation Movement, which has not only brought into question everything traditionally feminine, but has confused men as well." (Pg. 23)
He confides, "the Lord then gave me an enormous burden for my two children... The source of my burden derives from the awareness that a 'tug of war' is being waged for the hearts and minds of every child on earth... Satan would deceive and destroy them if given the opportunity, and they will soon have to choose the path they will take." (Pg. 51) He says to men of wives who are homemakers, "it is about time you gave her some help... I'm referring to the provision of emotional support... of making her feel like a lady... But to be honest, many of you husbands and fathers have been thinking about something else... You've been intoxicated with your work and the ego support it provides." (Pg. 102-103) He adds, "We MUST not abandon the Biblical concept of masculinity and femininity... Not that every woman must become a mother... or even a homemaker. But those who DO must be honored and respected and supported." (Pg. 159)
He wrote in the first chapter of WWWTHKAW, "Now I have not written this book to bad-rap American men... But it is true, I believe, that too many men do not understand the emotional needs of their wives... women have needs which men do not comprehend. It is this breakdown of understanding that has motivated this book..." (Pg. 13) He outlines, "the message of this book is designed to accomplish these objectives: 1. Help women explain their unique needs to their husbands. 2. Assist in breaking the shackles of emotional isolation. 3. Provide the keys to a more fulfilling motherhood. 4. Discuss the common sources of depression in women, and their solutions. 5. Offer specific answers to everyday irritants. 6. Point the pathway toward greater self-esteem and acceptance. 7. Describe the REAL meaning of romantic love." (Pg. 14)
He states, "Believe it or not, 'Low Self-Esteem' was indicated as THE most troubling problem by the majority of the women ... feelings of inadequacy, lack of confidence, and a certainty of worthlessness have become ... a way of despair for millions of American women." (Pg. 22) He asserts, "I am strongly opposed to the mothers of PRESCHOOL children holding down full-time employment in situations which do not require it... every disenchanted housewife is being offered the same solution to her low self-esteem: get a job, have a career, and do your own thing... I believe that this abandonment of the home is our gravest and most dangerous mistake as a nation!" (Pg. 55) Later, he adds, "One in every three mothers with children under six is employed today. That statistic distresses me more than I can find words to express. Who is at home to care for those impressionable babies? Who is taking Mom's place? ... There is NO one else at home." (Pg. 160-161)
He summarizes, "men derive self-esteem by being RESPECTED; women feel worthy because they are LOVED. This may be the most important personality distinction between the sexes." (Pg. 64) He says, "A successful husband and wife relationship begins with the attitude of the man; he has been ordained by God as the head of the family, and the responsibility for its welfare rests upon his shoulders." (Pg. 67)
Though relatively "early" books by Dr. Dobson, his many fans will still appreciate his advice in this helpful volume.
James Clayton "Jim" Dobson, Jr. (born 1936) is a psychologist, radio broadcaster, and author, and founder in 1977 of Focus on the Family (FOTF), which he led until 2003. He currently hosts the radio program "Family Talk with Dr. James Dobson." He has written many other books, such as 'Dare to Discipline,' 'Emotions Can You Trust Them,' 'Dr. Dobson Answers Your Questions,' etc.
He wrote in the second chapter of STTMATW, "I had asked the Lord, as a special favor, to reveal His message to the Christian family... But this was God's reply, translated into my own words: 'If America is going to survive the incredible stresses and dangers it now faces, it will be because husbands and fathers again place their families at the highest level on their system of priorities, reserving a portion of their time and energy for leadership within their homes!'" (Pg. 20-21) He adds, "The purpose of this book, then, is to sound a call to arms... I hope to offer a redefinition of masculinity. The Judeo-Christian concept of manliness has been blurred by the Women's Liberation Movement, which has not only brought into question everything traditionally feminine, but has confused men as well." (Pg. 23)
He confides, "the Lord then gave me an enormous burden for my two children... The source of my burden derives from the awareness that a 'tug of war' is being waged for the hearts and minds of every child on earth... Satan would deceive and destroy them if given the opportunity, and they will soon have to choose the path they will take." (Pg. 51) He says to men of wives who are homemakers, "it is about time you gave her some help... I'm referring to the provision of emotional support... of making her feel like a lady... But to be honest, many of you husbands and fathers have been thinking about something else... You've been intoxicated with your work and the ego support it provides." (Pg. 102-103) He adds, "We MUST not abandon the Biblical concept of masculinity and femininity... Not that every woman must become a mother... or even a homemaker. But those who DO must be honored and respected and supported." (Pg. 159)
He wrote in the first chapter of WWWTHKAW, "Now I have not written this book to bad-rap American men... But it is true, I believe, that too many men do not understand the emotional needs of their wives... women have needs which men do not comprehend. It is this breakdown of understanding that has motivated this book..." (Pg. 13) He outlines, "the message of this book is designed to accomplish these objectives: 1. Help women explain their unique needs to their husbands. 2. Assist in breaking the shackles of emotional isolation. 3. Provide the keys to a more fulfilling motherhood. 4. Discuss the common sources of depression in women, and their solutions. 5. Offer specific answers to everyday irritants. 6. Point the pathway toward greater self-esteem and acceptance. 7. Describe the REAL meaning of romantic love." (Pg. 14)
He states, "Believe it or not, 'Low Self-Esteem' was indicated as THE most troubling problem by the majority of the women ... feelings of inadequacy, lack of confidence, and a certainty of worthlessness have become ... a way of despair for millions of American women." (Pg. 22) He asserts, "I am strongly opposed to the mothers of PRESCHOOL children holding down full-time employment in situations which do not require it... every disenchanted housewife is being offered the same solution to her low self-esteem: get a job, have a career, and do your own thing... I believe that this abandonment of the home is our gravest and most dangerous mistake as a nation!" (Pg. 55) Later, he adds, "One in every three mothers with children under six is employed today. That statistic distresses me more than I can find words to express. Who is at home to care for those impressionable babies? Who is taking Mom's place? ... There is NO one else at home." (Pg. 160-161)
He summarizes, "men derive self-esteem by being RESPECTED; women feel worthy because they are LOVED. This may be the most important personality distinction between the sexes." (Pg. 64) He says, "A successful husband and wife relationship begins with the attitude of the man; he has been ordained by God as the head of the family, and the responsibility for its welfare rests upon his shoulders." (Pg. 67)
Though relatively "early" books by Dr. Dobson, his many fans will still appreciate his advice in this helpful volume.
January 19, 2019
This book gives a good overview of the traditional conservative Christian household and its merits in the face of an increasingly post-Christian world. That being said it is showing its age. Many of the challenges it describes families facing daily are no longer relevent. That being said, it is a good read and has a solid emotional core in the form of Dr. Dobson's reflections on his own father's values.
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March 27, 2008301.427
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August 21, 20120513
December 21, 2021
Excelente libro. Posee consejos muy prácticos ejemplificados a través del padre del autor. Sin duda un libro que vale la pena leer.
December 15, 2007
Rated: B
January 17, 2011
Every husband would benefit by reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews