by Rebecca Escort
Penn State
Extension Home Economist
For Lehigh County
Taking Time Helps Stop
Violence
Why is our gut reaction to
punch someone or to shout a hurt
ful name when someone insults
us? Statistics show that the United
States is Incoming increasingly
violent. But violence is not just a
societal issue. Violence affects
small communities, families and
individuals. Across the country
people are also demonstrating that
it’s small communities, families,
and individuals who have the
opportunity to stop violence
one confrontation at a time.
Did you know that half of the
homicides that occur in the United
States are among family and
friends? Dr. Deborah Prothrow-
Stith, MD outlines the characteris
tics of people committing violent
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FARM EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT
New Ringgold, PA Avondale, PA
717-943-2131 215-268-2181
R.S. HOLLINGER &
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717-285-4538
N.H. FLICKER &
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Maxalawny, PA
218-683-7282
crimes the victim and assailant
are at least acquainted; they are
usually of the same race and are
predominantly male; the violence
started with an argument; usually
the violence is not related to a
felony (example: burglary); alco
hol is usually involved; and usual
ly a firearm is present
Prothrow-Stith believes that
children learn from an early age
that violence is funny and cool.
The heroes of our media usually
resort to violence to solve prob
lems. She also observes that most
parents don’t want “wimps” for
children. But I also think that
parents don’t want their children
or grandchildren to be severely
wounded or die because of an
argument or an insult
Is there a choice? Yes.
NESLEY
EQUIPMENT CO.
Potutown, PA
215-469-6391
Take the first step. Always
gather information about the situa
tion instead of running to solve the
problem with only a tidbit of
“news." Get the full story both
sides of the issue. Examine both
the message and the messenger.
This is a great technique to teach
children. By taking the time to
really investigate, we can often
diffuse or bring new understand
ing to a situation.
An additional step is much
harder. Each of us must make a
commitment to seek non-violent
solutions. Unfortunately, some
times seeking a non-aggressive
action results in us being called
names or in our losing friends.
This commitment will carry some
costs, but it will also bring
rewards.
A third step is to actually con
front the offending party. This
must be done with humor and
grace. Present a list of the injus
tices that occurred and a plan to
resolve them. Any confrontation,
if it is to work long-term, must not
humiliate the other person. It
should allow the other person to
do good, to repair a wrong. These
three principles are part of a set of
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Piperavllla, PA
218-766-0414
BANGOR IMPLEMENT
Bangor, PA
218-588-5924
Elizabethtown
MESSICK FARM
EQUIPMENT, INC.
Rheeme Exlt-Rt. 2(3
Elliebethlown, PA
717-367-1319, 717-653-8867
Eohrata Mverstown Whlteford MD
WES STAUFFER EBLING LAWN & ENFIELD
ENGINES & EQUIPMENT GARDEN SERVICE EQUIPMENT INC.
23 Pleasant Vallay Rd. iM E. Lincoln Avo. 720 Whoolor School Rd,
717*738-4215 717-866-8720 301-879-5090
DISTRIBUTED BY KEYSTONE STIHL
six steps that Martin Luther King,
Jr. set forth for solving community
or personal problems in non
violent ways.
When I heard these ideas, I saw
immediate application for fami
lies. If parents would seek the
whole story before disciplining, if
wives would gather details before
accusing husbands, if teens would
negotiate instead of just dumping
friends, if neighbors would pre
sent plans for restitution instead of
planning sabotage, we all would
have fewer stresses, fewer hurts.
But this process is a grueling one.
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PASSMORE SERVICE
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1101 Rout* 100
610-367-9084
Dallastown
TRI-BORO
CONCRETE, INC,
43$ Locust St.
717-246-3095
1-800-632-9018
East Earl
GOODS LAWN
& GARDEN CENTER
Rout* 23
717-354-4026 Ext. 34
Elm/Lebam
BOMBERGER’S LAWN
& GARDEN
Elm; 717-664-4663
Lobanon: 717-272-4155
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It takes lots of energy (and longev
ity) to see a difference. One of the
tips that helps is to surround your
self with other people who seek to
solve problems without violence.
That way you have support to
choose another way when your
first reaction is to lash out at the
person who hurt you.
By taking time to teach children
(and ourselves) how to get the big
picture before we respond from
our gut, each of us can help to
reduce the anger and violence
around us. Together, we can build
communities that care.
Questions?
Gardener call-in line for the pub
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swers to questions about horticul
ture, gardening and related topics.
Penn State trained Master Gaiden
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questions accurately and free of
charge. The Master Gardener line
will operate from 9 a.m. to noon
every Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday at (412) 837-1402 (Penn
State Extension Westmoreland
County).
Eohrata. Hershe-
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HOLLINGER’S LAWN & ENFIELD EQUIPMENT
GARDEN EQUIP. 6600 Limaalona Rd.
Ephrata, PA 717-738-1131 61 0’ 932 ' 8858
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RD 2, Box 115 A
717-838-1549
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370 Newport Road
2 Milaa South of Rt. 23
Along 772 Thru Montaray
Shlpoensburg
LEINBACH
FARM EQUIP.
1120 Rllnar Mwy
717-532-5511
Tamaaua
CHARLES S.
SNYDER, INC.
RD 3
717-386-5945
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Comer of Rt. 30 1, Rt. 197
717-442-8970
Hamburg
SHARTLESVILLE
FARM SERVICE
RD 1, Box 13*2
610-488-1025
Jonestown
BLUE MOUNTAIN
ENTERPRISES, INC.
Rt. 72 South
717-865-2994
Lovsville/Carllsle
GUTSHALL’S INC.
Loytville, PA ■ Carlisle
717-789-4343 717-249-2313
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HANCOCK BLOCK
TRUE VALUE
220 Fulton St.
301-(7(-7242