‘Holding on to your Kids’ may do more to Avert workplace violence than ‘Hardening the Sanctuary’ and ‘Protective Federal Legislation’

This commentary is in response to a call for greater ‘protective federal legislation’ to address workplace violence in health care, that followed closely on the heels of a call to ‘harden the sanctuary’ with increased surveillance and armed security around our institutions, specifically health care workplaces. Beyond ‘protective federal legislation’ and ‘hardening the sanctuary’, there is an alternative. Considerable literature supports the need for public health scholars and influencers committed to a healthy society, to lead and collaborate with social scientists, to restore much-eroded family health with a view to maximize positive early childhood experiences. Adverse childhood experiences are all too common today given adverse parenting environments and support, rather than ‘bad’ parents. This is a singularly relevant means of improving societal mental health, in turn reducing aggression and violence within it – not trivial issues in the United States today. Such an alternate perspective needs to be brought to the forefront by health professionals in supporting family-oriented public health initiatives, beyond the narrower reductionistic perspectives proffered by Adashi and colleagues. If nothing else, it offers a healthier alternative and will generate much needed reflection and dialogue.