Dear Ann Landers: In the first few months of this year, the media shed light on a number of cases of child abuse. How can we prevent these tragedies from happening? Nearly three-quarters of Americans report having witnessed abuse and neglect, yet nearly half of them did nothing about it, largely because they did not know how to respond. That is why Prevent Child Abuse America has launched a new public service advertising campaign, “A Child is Helpless — You Are Not.” This campaign educates the public about what people can do to prevent child abuse and neglect before it starts.
We recommend the following “R’s.” They do work:
Reach out and support parents and kids. Anything you can do, from baby-sitting to running errands, can help reduce the stress that often leads to abuse.
Raise the issue by educating yourself and others in your community.
Remember the risk factors, such as economic hardship, isolation or substance abuse problems.
Recognize the warning signs in children, which may include nervousness around adults, aggression or low self-esteem.
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Report suspected abuse or neglect.
Your readers can find out more ways to prevent child abuse and neglect by accessing our Web site, www.preventchildabuse.org, or by calling 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373). Together, we can help stop the abuse of our nation’s children.
— A. Sidney Johnson III, President and CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America
Dear A. Sidney Johnson: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to spread the news to my readers. Each one of us has an obligation to protect our children. I hope my readers will contact your organization or Web site for more information.
Dear Ann Landers: My husband, “Eddie,” is one of those guys who has a few long strands of hair that he combs over his bald spot and glues down with hairspray. I love Eddie, but his hairstyle has got to go.
Eddie just started a new job, and I made him promise he would get a haircut so his new co-workers would get to know him as he really is. He did not keep his promise and now becomes upset when I bring up the subject. He says I’m overly critical and to please lay off.
How can I make Eddie see that a comb-over no longer works for him? I don’t understand why men think this technique hides baldness. People laugh behind their backs. I thought Eddie would be relieved to stop the meticulous process of placing each wisp of hair so precisely, but obviously, he is too vain to change his ways.
What can I say to make him understand he isn’t fooling anyone?
— Prefer Bald in Memphis, Tenn.
Dear Memphis: It will take some effort to convince Eddie that he is better-looking without the comb-over. Balding men hang on to those last few hairs as if they were threads of gold.
Point out to Eddie that bald men can look attractive, even powerful. Consider Michael Jordan, Yul Brynner, Patrick Stewart, Sean Connery and Jesse Ventura. Tell him that young men today actually shave their heads to achieve that shiny-pate look, and he would be right in style.
If all else fails and he insists on covering the bald spot, ask him to consider a well-made hairpiece or to save up for a transplant. (They are expensive.) Either would be an improvement.
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