Aggression prevention and reduction in diverse cultures and contexts

•Nonviolent social norms and values can play an integral role in reducing aggression.•Societies can promote peaceful values through nonviolent childrearing practices.•A well planned nonviolent resistance can win rights with little bloodshed.•Media coverage can promote nonviolence as a promising alternative to violence.

It is not as difficult to prevent and reduce violence as commonly assumed. The examination of peaceful societies and nonviolent social movements provides insight on how core values and norms like humility, respect for others, love and caring, forgiveness, and patience are fundamental in promoting peace. Additionally, nonviolent attitudes actualized through nonviolent models and non-punitive childrearing practices can help socialize children to become nonviolent adults. At the group level, the commitment to nonviolence by individuals using methods of sit-ins, boycotts, strikes, work slow-downs, civil disobedience, marches, and demonstrations in struggles against violence and oppression can bring about positive social change. Thus, the growing number of cases of nonviolent resistance triumphing over injustice and repression as well as the existence of dozens of highly peaceful societies bear witness to the fact that life without violence is possible.