Dr. Laura C. Schlessinger
1947-

Radio personality/therapist

"Dr. Laura."

For three hours every day, Dr. Laura C. Schlessinger dispenses advice while pointing out the shortcomings of people who call in to her radio show, which reaches millions of listeners. On any given day, more than fifty thousand persons will jam the phone lines for a chance to converse with her about a myriad of problems—the state of marriage, abortion, relationships, and a host of other topics. For Dr. Laura, it is business as usual. For her listeners, it means an opportunity to solve puzzling difficulties or to hear that they are not alone. In addition, for those who do not listen to the radio, Dr. Lauras advice is also available in her syndicated columns running in at least fifty-five newspapers nationwide, or in her three popular books: Ten Stupid Things Women Do To Mess Up Their Lives (1995), Ten Stupid Things Men Do To Mess Up Their Lives (1997), and How Could You Do That?: The Abdication of Character, Courage and Conscience (1996). For many, Dr. Laura's success has come out of her ability to take aim and fire at the attitudes of the "Me Generation," which often amounted to an abdication of personal and moral responsibility.

"The Soul of a Hall Monitor."

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Schlessinger is the first to admit that her childhood was anything but happy. Raised in a household often filled with the sounds of arguing between her Jewish father and Roman Catholic mother, she often felt lost, alone, and confused. Those feelings led the young Schlessinger to be overly sensitive to other people doing things they should not have been doing, such as ripping pages out of library books. Schlessinger early felt an urgent need to tell people when they were doing something wrong, even if it meant being unpopular and alone. After earning a Ph.D. in physiology from Columbia University, she went on to teach and eventually earned her license in marriage and family therapy. A chance call-in to a radio talk show in 1975 opened the way for a career in radio.

"Grow Up!"

Dr. Laura's no-holds-barred approach to dispensing advice on everything from divorce to homosexuality has earned her a legion of devoted listeners, as well as many who call her an insensitive charlatan. Her ability to zero in on a callers problem has made her the envy of ministers and therapists alike. Her tone, which at times can be moralistic, judgmental, and yet beneficent, has also sent a message that millions of Americans are apparently ready to hear: Grow up, take responsibility for your actions, and be good and helpful to others.

Sources:

Tom Allen and Laura C. Schlessinger, // Closer Look at Dr. Laura: On Target or Off The Wall? (New York: Horizon, 1999).

Schlessinger, How Could You Do That?: The Abdication of Character, Courage and Conscience (New York: HarperCollins, 1996).

Joannie M. Schrof, "No Whining!" U.S. News & World Report.. 123 (14 July 1997): 48-55.