More Layoffs at Focus on the Family November 18, 2008
Posted by Zack in Colorado , trackbackFor several years, James Dobson’s anger-driven on-air politics has been driving away the mainstream love-focused Focus on the Family audience. Apparently it’s starting to show on their bottom line. This article doesn’t say anything about donations from members falling, but I’m guessing they’ve got to be going down.
Focus on the Family announced this afternoon that 202 jobs will be cut companywide — an estimated 20 percent of its workforce. Initial reports bring the total number of remaining employees to around 950.
Focus on the Family is poised to announce major layoffs to its Colorado Springs-based ministry and media empire today. The cutbacks come just weeks after the group pumped more than half a million dollars into the successful effort to pass a gay-marriage ban in California.
Critics are holding up the layoffs, which come just two months after the organization’s last round of dismissals, as a sad commentary on the true priorities of the ministry.
I’ve met a lot of people who have relied on Focus on the Family’s parenting and marriage shows and materials who have become increasingly alienated by FOTF’s angry political agenda. Most non-religious liberals would be very surprised by some of the mainstay content the group provides. The parenting materials, for example, focus on the importance of showing children “unconditional love” and teach parents not to punish children for childish mistakes. Much of the marriage advice given to husbands—often by women—sounds downright feminist, believe it or not, for example reminding men that the Bible also teaches husbands to submit to their wives.
For years, FOTF was one long, continuous, cheery stream of socially conservative but therapeutically liberal self-help and affirmation. And then suddenly James Dobson started frothing at the mouth. More and more, he crowded out feel-good programs with hysterical anger about things like “the Homosexual Agenda!” I’m guessing a big chunk of the grassroots funding base is walking away.
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You have an interesting point of view, although a bit angry. It is always great to hear from everyone on issues, utilizing our freedom of speech and freedom of press. I have fav’d you on Technorati. I hope that you’ll do the same…http://issuesoncall.blogspot.com. I have added you on my site as one of my favorite links.
I lost all respect for them this last election season. I sent them a well thought out email articulating my concerns and they never bothered to write back. Can’t say I’m sad to hear the news of their cuts.
Hmmm … perhaps Dr. Dobson lost his “Focus” …
I suspect that the larger reason here is that in the downturn of the economy, donors are cutting back on their giving outside of their local churches. I think positing other reasons for the shift is premature and more wishful thinking.
This has been a trend over time for many of the Christian Right groups. They are chasing a smaller and smaller donor pool as older people die off.
I also used to be FOF member back when my kids were little and my wife was still on this side of Glory - but these last few years I simply could not stomach Dr. Dobson consorting with politicians I considered somewhat less than exemplary Christians. I withdrew my support some years back, and have now become more of an opponent than supporter.
[…] Exley, commenting on the recent layoffs at Focus on the Family at his Revolution In Jesusland […]
I have always valued Dr Dobson’s advice when it comes to my marriage and raising a family. I wish he truly had continued to focus on the family and not political power. His ministry lost its heart when it started playing the fear game. He should have stuck to encouraging families, which he has always done so well.
So true. My father and my grandfather used to recommend Dr. Dobson’s books in their role as pastors–it’s hard to imagine now! My grandad was telling me about it and shook his head and said, “He used to give good advice about parenting, before he got all power-crazy!”
Agreed that what Dobson’s doing now is a far cry from the old parenting stuff.
But it is worth remembering that he became famous with _Dare to Discipline_, a book arguing that parents return to spanking their children — and decrying the interest in more progressive approaches to child-rearing.
I was raised in a Christian house by a mother who listened to FOTF all the time and would encourage me to do the same. I always thought it was a good source of information and support for families, but now I can’t stomach it and my mom has switched to Dr. Laura.
Perhaps the Doc should have focused on the family…