In the preceding chapters we discussed transferring nonviolent resistance, originally developed to fight oppression and violence on the socio-political level, to the family sphere. In this chapter we return to the social dimension and examine the implications of nonviolent resistance for therapeutic and prevention programs in the community. The issues in this chapter pertain not to individuals, but rather to negative norms, which have been adopted or are in danger of being adopted by large groups. These norms include activities such as young people's alcohol and drug parties, driving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) without a license, boycotts and violence against individuals and groups, and night loitering for shady purposes. In this chapter we examine some of the opportunities nonviolent resistance offers to deal with these negative practices.

THE FEATURES OF NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE IN THE COMMUNITY

Nonviolent resistance in community settings is characterized by the readiness of the activists to cross boundaries that were previously viewed as sacrosanct and by activists' continuous efforts to build alliances.

Crossing Boundaries

To implement nonviolent resistance, parents, educators, and other community agents must evolve a readiness to cross the “red lines” that govern expectations and conventions between adults and teens. Nonviolent resistance activists have to enter places that are considered taboo for them. From this point of view, every act of nonviolent resistance contains an element of social scandal, of something that is not done, and which contradicts previously inviolable tacit agreements.