Chapter 5: Preventing Violence & Abuse Section 1: Conflict Resolution & Violence Prevention

Key Terms:  Violence: Physical force that is used to harm people or damage property.  Tolerance: The ability to overlook differences and accept people for who they are.  Bullying: Scaring or controlling another person using threats or physical force.  Negotiation: A bargain or compromise for a peaceful solution to a conflict.  Peer Mediation: A technique in which a trained outsider who is your age helps people in a conflict come to a peaceful resolution.

Violence Around Us  We see it on TV, in the movies, in the newspaper, in video games, in our schools, and even in our homes.  Many have come to think about violence as no big deal.  We see violence not only as a quick solution to a problem, but also as entertainment such as in many action movies.  For example, kids who frequently observe teaching might consider the behavior as normal.  Observing and experiencing violence can also make a person more violent towards others.

Factors that Lead to Conflicts Between teens:  Feeling Threatened: I. The stress from being threatened can often lead to violence. II. Violence is never a good solution to a problem. Violence only makes the problem bigger. Bringing a gun or a weapon to school will not protect you. It will put you and others in greater danger.

Unmanaged Anger  Unmanaged anger can also contribute to conflict.  Being fatigued, or very tired, or living in an over-crowded area can cause a person to be more irritable and act out with anger.  It is important to deal with anger effectively.  If you feel you have problems managing your anger, ask your parents or trusted adult where you can get help.  You are responsible for how you express your anger.

Lack of Respect  Being disrespectful to others can lead to conflict.  For example, picking on someone, destroying one of his or her belongings is a form of disrespect.  Having negative opinions about people because of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or the way they dress are other ways of being disrespectful.  A violent act against someone just because he or she is different in race, religion, or culture is called a hate crime.  Tolerance is the ability to overlook differences and accept people for who they are.

Bullying  Scaring or controlling another person by using threats or physical force is called bullying.  The following list provides suggestions on how to prevent bullying: a. Be tolerant of others. Encourage your friends to respect others. b. If you see someone being bullied, tell a trusted adult. c. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help from friends, teachers, or parents. Bullies won’t pick on you if they can’t get away with it. d. Be assertive, not aggressive. e. Avoid bullies or any people who are disrespectful or threatening. f. Respect yourself.

Gangs  Gangs often cause conflict and violence.  A gang is a group of peers who claim a territory.  Most gangs have a leader and use recognizable symbols or tattoos.  Gangs commit acts of vandalism and carry weapons.  Use drugs and alcohol, can play a role in many dangerous situations.  Gangs are destructive to the community, the people who live in it, and themselves.

Find support & own place in your Community:  Join a sports team or school club.  Volunteer with your neighborhood watch group.  Coach a sports team for younger kids.

Avoiding Dangerous Situations: 1. Recognize the signs. 2. Calm things down. 3. Leave the situation. 4. Offer alternatives. DoDon’t Treat all people with respect, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or ethnicity. Don’t make fun of people who are different from you. Join a sports team, act in a theater group, volunteer at a hospital, or get a job. Don’t join a gang. Take a self-defense class. Don’t buy or carry a weapon. Learn to control your anger. Don’t fight someone to solve an argument.

Resolving Conflict Without Violence: 1. Confliction Resolution Skills: Conflict resolution is a nonviolent way to deal with arguments. All people involved in the conflict sit down together and express their points of view. Everyone works together to find a solution acceptable to all parties involved. A negotiation is a bargain or compromise for a peaceful solution to a conflict.

Tips for Communicating effectively to resolve conflicts:  Be respectful, yet be assertive.  Use the steps of Making GREAT decisions model.  Don’t call each other names or raise your voice.  Allow the other person time to speak.  Don’t make assumptions.  Focus on the real issue.  Be open to change and look for shared interests.  Use “I” messages, not “you” messages.  Use listening skills and try to understand what the other person wants.  Peer Mediation is a technique is which a trained outsider who is your age helps people in a conflict come to a peaceful resolution.