Over the past few decades, mediation has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds. Today many potentially ugly disputes over business issues, politics, and family disagreements are settled through mediation. The essential structure of mediation is conducive to cooperation and out-of-the-box problem solving, and as a result, disputes are settled peacefully and efficiently.
But adults are not the only ones who attend mediation procedures. There are peer mediation programs, aimed at helping students to work out their problems, which are cropping up all over the country. These students are trained at facilitating the mediation process, and can work with their fellow students to "hash-out" their differences without the threat of punishment, and can deal with problems before they escalate to becoming painful confrontations. Student mediators are known as "peer mediators."
While peer mediation programs may be a step in the right direction, there are still a lot of negative influences that are bombarding our youth. Over the previous decades we have been witness to juvenile violence escalate in alarming ways. Students regularly bring weapons to school and minor skirmishes often end in tragedy. Considering the amount of violence that kids are constantly exposed to through television, movies, and video games it is no surprise that the natural choice of dispute resolution amongst them is all-too-often verbal, or even physical, confrontation. Many adults feel that there is almost no way to get through to "kids these days." So who is left to teach the next generation to deal with conflict in a healthy manner?
The peer mediation program is proving itself in schools all over the country. Since peer mediators are fellow students of the mediated parties, they do not offer any threat of punishment, and the mediated students are not forced to make an agreement. Rather, they themselves help to design the solution and they therefore do not feel the need to rebel. The goal of the peer <a href="http://www.shalleradr.com/">mediator </a> is similar to all other types of mediators- to help parties <a href="http://www.shalleradr.com/adr-services/">work out their disputes </a> and compromise on a solution.
In order to work out their differences students either volunteer for peer mediation or can be volunteered by another student or teacher.
The subjects of disputes discussed in peer mediation sessions can be about almost anything. Subjects that are worked out are often disagreements between friends, racial disputes, and boyfriend/girlfriend issues.
The peer-mediated discussion proceeds much like any adult-mediated case. The mediator's job is not to judge but rather to facilitate the cooperation of both parties in order that they should ultimately come to a compromise which suits everyone.
There are a slew of benefits to implementing a peer mediation program. Peer mediation teaches youth to be mediators, which is good for the peer mediator's self-esteem and may even be applied towards a future career. Also, students are often more at ease and willing to talk with a peer mediator than with an adult. Another plus is that students who come to a peer mediated agreement are likely to stick to the agreement that they themselves designed and agreed upon, as opposed to punishment, or rebuke by authority figures. Further, in a school where peer mediation thrives it raises the consciousness of the entire student body that there is another way to solve conflict rather than violence or hate. It also encourages tolerance, understanding, and working together.. Finally, it makes the school environment a healthier, happier place so that students can focus on making friends and studying rather than revenge and anger.
Considering the many negative influences that bombard our youth on a constant basis we need all the help that we can get to communicate positive ways of dealing with others. The success of peer mediators provides a refreshing picture of today's society against a backdrop of unsightly newspaper headlines. We are witnessing one success story in the tireless effort to instill good values and cooperation in the next generation.
No comments:
Post a Comment