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Abstract
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VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The goal of this article by Parry was to introduce and describe the "Choosing Non-Violence" (CNV) program. The program is aimed at reducing violence by teaching individuals, including children, that they have the power to make choices and that they can choose to behave in non-violent ways while still legitimately expressing their emotions.
METHODOLOGY:
A non-experimental descriptive summary of the CNV violence prevention program was provided by the author.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The author introduced the CNV program as an educational program that was developed by Rainbow House (a support shelter for women and children who have been victims of violence in the home). The author reported that over four years ago, the CNV program began as an effort to divert the course of violence by educating high school juniors and seniors about abuse prevention. The program was, and still is, undertaken in conjunction with other treatments. Observations made during the treatment of these youth revealed that violent behavior was already entrenched in their lives and that there was a more immediate need to reach out to younger children.
The CNV program was introduced into city primary schools in 1988, and a collaborative relationship was developed with Head Start and Title XX Day Care children and teachers. Information obtained from interviews with children revealed that children need to understand that violence is destructive, that individuals have the power to choose how they will behave, and that it is legitimate to have strong feelings but that these feelings need to be expressed in non-violent ways. In reaction to information obtained from teachers at in-servicing, CNV developed a five-week teacher training program. The training involved addressing the issues of the effects of violence on children, violent responses as a result of sex role stereotyping, stress, classroom management and application. Parents were also given the opportunity to participate in a CNV training program focused on parenting skills. The program developers then invited teachers to apply the CNV key concepts to the creative activities that were already a part of the classroom curriculum. Until now 263 teachers have completed the training, and over 6000 children and their parents are involved in the program throughout Chicago. Evaluation results have indicated that the CNV program is workable and that it addresses key issues relating to violence and violence prevention.
The author stated that children in the CNV program are taught, in class, to express how they feel about violent behavior, how they would feel if it was directed at them, and they are asked if they behave violently. The author reported that the children are also instructed on what to say and do in alternative non-violent ways if they are treated abusively or violently. Behavioral outcomes revealed that children can understand and act on their power to make choices and that they can choose to be non-violent.
AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS:
The author concluded by stating that the "Choosing Non-Violence" program is not a panacea for the prevention of violence but that it does raise questions about violence, suggests alternatives to violence and helps children and adults to reflect on the nature of violence and the effects of violence on their's and other's lives.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
Violence Prevention
Prevention Program
Middle Childhood
Late Childhood
Educational Program
Prevention Education
Parenting Skills
Nonviolent Behavior
Elementary School Student
School Based
Program Effectiveness
Program Evaluation
Curriculum
Child Violence
Student Violence
Training Program
Illinois
05-05 |