Settling A Claim: Conflict Resolution and Mediation
Sometimes on the road of life, you will encounter conflicts that you must settle. Conflicts give you an opportunity to open doors of communication that may otherwise not present itself. They also give you an opportunity to explore and learn about yourself and others.
In middle school, you might have been in disagreements or other types of conflicts with friends, your siblings, or maybe even your parents. As a high school student, you may run into similar conflicts, but the topic of the conflict is most likely different. For instance, when you are able to drive or go places with friends, you might find yourself in a conflict with your parents on whether or not you can go. As you grow into an adult, you will not escape conflicts, but rather, the circumstances of the conflicts may change. Regardless, it is always best to try to settle conflict in a peaceful manner. Of course, not using physical violence to settle a conflict prevents injuries. Similarly, a peaceful resolution reduces the emotional distress that everyone in the conflict might feel.
Settling a Claim
Conflict is inevitable, but luckily you are able to decide how to deal with it. In this interactivity, you will learn how to recognize and deal with conflict. Click the player button to begin.
View a printable version of the interactivity.
Effective Communication
When trying to resolve a conflict, it is important to understand how to communicate effectively. If your message is misunderstood, it may accidentally make the conflict worse. In this interactivity, you will examine some effective communication strategies that could be used in conflict resolution. Click the player button to begin.
View a printable version of the interactivity.
Settling Disputes by Using Violence
Throughout the United States, you can find neighborhoods riddled with violence. This epidemic has major consequences in the city of Chicago. Take a moment to view the video, Women Peacemakers: The Interrupters, from eMediaVASM, and discover how Ameena Matthews tries to interrupt the violence that has taken over her community. As you watch the video, think about answers to the following questions:
- Why do people use violence to settle disputes?
- Who does violence impact?
- What are some alternatives to using violence when settling disputes?
- How does violence affect your own community?
Mediation
A mediator is an objective third party who helps others resolve a conflict by ensuring that both parties in conflict are able to communicate effectively to find a peaceful resolution. In this interactivity, you will examine some helpful steps you can follow when mediating a conflict. Click the player button to begin.
View a printable version of the interactivity.
While an adult can serve as a mediator, your peers can as well. In peer mediation, someone your age helps you through the conflict resolution stages. Sometimes it is more helpful when a peer helps because that person can better understand your situation, and it gives you an opportunity to control your emotions without an adult present.
Take advantage of peer mediation if it is available, and if you are unable to resolve conflicts on your own. Also, if you are a good listener and problem solver, and you can maintain composure, consider becoming a mediator. Ask your school counselor if a program exists. You should understand that no mediation is perfect, and being a mediator is very difficult. Mediators have to keep control of the conversation and their own opinions, as well as stay neutral at the same time.
Conflict Resolution and Mediation Review
Now that you have explored conflict resolution and mediation, review your knowledge in this non-graded activity. Click the player button to get started.