Peer Mediation For Children And Adults

By Virginia Butler


While in school, most often students will have a disagreement with another student or group of students. If part of a gang or going through a rebellious phase, if the issue is not resolved, the results can often be dyer. When this is the case, peer mediation can often assist individuals in working out a resolution while supervised by trained student mediators.

While based on the concept of youth helping youth, there are also adults whom need assistance especially during cases such as divorce and custody issues. In addition, those whom have issues with authority can often learn how to better associate and communicate with parents, police officers, teachers and others. For, when going through a mediation service, a mediator oversees a meeting of those involved in a confidential, private and safe space.

One provider of these services has now provided accreditation for mediators to implement the process into grade, junior and high schools. While somewhat new, the practice is akin to peer counseling which became popular in the 1990s. In fact, there are a number of individuals whom were originally involved with this type of counseling which are now mediators. While such experience is not required to become a mediator, having gone through a similar process can be helpful while working with and teaching others more non-violent forms of conflict resolution.

A number of these individuals are now helping children and adults overcome disagreements and unpleasant behaviors. In some cases, adults have been able to save a marriage, which if not having had such assistance could have ended in a nasty divorce and custody battle. Whereas, there are others whom help couples while going such an experience.

Many of the benefits gained when going through this type of process include becoming a better communicator, avoiding suspension and allowing more teachers the time to teach rather than disciple students. Whereas, when it comes to adults, people often learn how to better communicate issues, pay more attention to the ideas of co-workers in the workplace and most importantly how to compromise or agree to disagree in a peaceful, non-violent manner.

When it comes conflict in the workplace, the process can help eliminate damages which may be caused by emotionally charged employees. For, the process teaches individuals how to build ongoing cooperation among employees which may often see things differently. In doing so, employees often learn the difference between doing things in a way which is right or wrong versus simply doing things differently.

Mediation can also be useful with regards to community members and organizations. For example, if two or more individuals can not come to an agreement with regards to changes in building codes, or other forms of city infrastructure which can often lead to volatile arguments, mediators can often provide a place and oversee such disputes until a compromise or resolution takes place.

Whether working with children or adults, the process can assist in educating all better methods when it comes to communication. Whether a major or minor disagreement, a mediator can often be the difference between going to jail, paying a fine or becoming a target of a lawsuit. For, when individuals can learn how to resolve issues in a non-violent manner or agree to disagree, life can often be better for all involved.




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