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Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide
By Dr. James Dobson
Lindsay Hayes
DBMF 400-D01: Marriage & FamilySystems Foundation, Model, & Techniques
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Professor Kenneth Warren
April 11th, 2022
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Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide
By Dr. James Dobson
An overview of Dr. James Dobson’s book, Complete Marriage and Family Home
Reference Guide, can be summed up in the words of Solomon, “Hear counsel, and receive
instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man's
heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand” (Proverbs 19:20-21). In a
world that is more than happy to push their secular, and humanistic views on society, it is
refreshing and comforting to be oered godly counsel. This is basically a how-to-book on
marriage and family. It covers an array of topics dealing with marriage, raising
adolescents from babies into young adulthood, finances, divorce, remarriage, and much
more.
All the advice given by Dr. Dobson is biblically based, and comes from decades of
experience as a licensed psychologist and marriage, family, and child counselor. The
entire book is in an easy-to-understand question and answer format. It is my opinion that
every marriage and family counselor should have a copy of this book included in their
library.
I personally can relate to chapter 15, IHelp For Single Parenting and Step-Parents.
relate most to this chapter in particular due to the fact that I, myself, am a single mother
with three daughters. My girls are fourteen, twelve, and nine, and they all three have a
love-hate relationship with their step-mother, as well as my ex-fiance. Merging two
families into one is not an easy task, no matter which route you choose to take (Dobson,
J., 2000). The children will fight the situation full force, only because they are confused
and upset about their mother and father’s divorce. Dr. James Dobson (2000) said, “I have
seen fewer than five ‘reconstructed families’ in my professional career that did not
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experience major adjustments and struggles.” It is suggested to not give in to your
children’s resistance, as you are the parent and you deserve to be able to live life happily
in love. In due time, with the help from a licensed counselor and of course patience,
understanding, and tons of praying you will successfully blend your new family.
There are many topics Dr. Dobson covers in this reference guide, but the one which
stood out the most during my studies can be found within inThe Issues Facing the Family,
chapter twenty-five. Dr.Dobson discusses the issues of homosexuality. There were things
that I both agreed and disagreed with on the subject.
