EPISODE 112: Historical Daddy Issues

22 snips

Jun 16, 2025

Dive into the complex world of fatherhood through history, exploring the impact of paternal relationships on iconic figures like Churchill and Stalin. The discussion reveals patterns of neglect and abuse shaping their legacies and, in turn, societal issues. Ancient practices of violence in Roman fatherhood and the dark tales of infanticide highlight moral dilemmas faced by parents. Stories of power struggles between rulers and their sons illustrate the volatile side of authority, contrasting with heartfelt reflections on Theodore Roosevelt’s nurturing relationship with his father.

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INSIGHT

Bad Fathers Shape History

Most historical figures noted for power had terribly abusive or neglectful fathers.
Dysfunctional fatherhood may profoundly shape world history beyond politics or economics.

INSIGHT

Child Abuse Links to Tyranny

Childhood abuse correlates with adult violence and large-scale atrocities.
Psychohistory suggests parenting has massive societal effects often overlooked.

INSIGHT

Critique of Psychohistory

Psychohistory often cherry-picks dark evidence, painting childhood history as an endless nightmare.
This framing oversimplifies complex historical variations in parenting.

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“The thought of him now and always has been a sense of comfort. I could breathe, I could sleep, when he had me in his arms. My father—he got me breath, he got me lungs, strength—life… The best I ever knew. He combined strength and courage with gentleness, tenderness and great unselfishness.” Theodore Roosevelt about his father.

Since my daughter was born, I have been trying my best to be as good a father as I’m capable of. Given this priority, it’s probably not surprising that I’ve given a whole lot of thought about what it means to be a good father, what makes a bad father and everything in between. In this episode, I tackle fatherhood in history: the bad (a lot), the good (considerably less), and the possible consequences. Looking at the evidence makes me wonder if much of history is the product of child abuse coming home to roost. In the course of this exploration, I look at a quite a few case studies (from Churchill to Stalin, from Marcus Aurelius to Alexander the Great, etc.), discuss the field of psychohistory, receive an assist from Dan Carlin, analyze how culture may shape fatherhood, and ponder how much bad fathers may have contributed to the popularity of dictators and cult leaders.

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