The Authoritarian Fatherhood Complex
If you have spent any time in rightwing circles you will have heard mention of Theodore Adornon’s The Authoritarian Personality (TAP) and its influence on modern academia, in TAP Adorno and his colleagues examined certain personality traits and how they contribute to the development of authoritarianism. These traits included a strong adherence to conventional values, rigid thinking, a tendency to be hostile toward those perceived as different or deviant, and a fixation on strong, authoritarian leaders.
Adorno and his colleagues concluded that one of the main sources of these authoritarian traits was the family. Specifically, families that practice “authoritarian parenting,” a style of parenting which according to Adorno is, “characterized by strict discipline, emphasis on obedience, with a clear authority figure (usually the father), and strict adherence to traditional values and norms.”
All of that is to say that having a strong father is likely to make you an authoritarian and when Adorno says authoritarian what he means is those individuals who prioritize traditional values and norms, he means conservatives, right-wingers, he means you, and me.
What Adorno is highlighting is the importance of the father in the political and ideological development of children and explains the hostility of the current regime toward fathers and masculine traits. Strong fathers imbibe children with a positive relationship toward authority from a young age, they learn discipline, respect, courage, and honor, and they learn the proper orientation of male/female relations. All of these things are seen as a threat to the current order.
Many men look around the world today and ask, “What role can I play?” The truth remains that not every one of us can be at the forefront of change; you might lack the opportunity to engage in political activism, possess inadequate artistic aptitude, or feel that your words carry little weight. However, you do possess the capacity to embrace fatherhood.
Heeding Adorno's insights reveals an undeniable truth: they dread the influence of fathers. This trepidation stems from a father's power to shape future generations. One need not attain widespread prominence or political clout; merely maintaining a presence is enough. Fathers serve as unwavering beacons of strength and constancy, embodying righteousness and justice, guiding lights in tumultuous seas.
It is essential to recognize that monumental change, like Rome's construction, does not transpire overnight; a brighter future necessitates patience and diligence. As Omar Bradley astutely observed, "Amateurs talk strategy; professionals talk logistics." Today's youth bear the responsibility of leading society toward a better world; the identities of these future leaders and their pathways to greatness are contingent upon the guidance of fathers, as it says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
-TJS