Eugenics, Parenting, and the Ideological Purity of Family Structures

In this special edition of Straight White American Jesus, host Dr. Brad Onishi reflects on the harmful legacy of James Dobson, who just passed away. Known as the founder of Focus on the Family, Dobson's teachings on the nuclear family, gender roles, and corporal punishment have left a traumatic impact on evangelical communities. Onishi connects Dobson's work to the broader themes of eugenics and Christian nationalism, noting Dobson's early association with eugenicist Paul Popenoe. The episode discusses how Dobson's views on family structure, purity culture, and authoritarian parenting continue to shape American society and politics today.

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