Chapter 9: Resolving Conflicts and Preventing Violence

1. Chapter 9: Resolving Conflicts and Preventing Violence

2. Conflict- any disagreement, struggle, or fight. Interpersonal Conflicts refer to conflicts between people or groups of people • Common Causes of Conflict • Power struggles • Personal loyalties • Jealousy and envy • Property disputes • Conflicting attitudes and values • Lack of respect • Positive results of conflict • Improve communication • Improve problem solving skills • Teach how to get along with others • Strengthen relationships • Negative effects of conflict • Source of stress • May lead to anger, frustration, fear, and emotional pain • Can escalate to violence, injury, and death

3. Preventing Conflict • Avoid provocation • Remind yourself that minor issues may not be worth the effort • Adjust your own behavior • Adjust your attitude Complete the lesson 1 Assessment on page 223 1-6. To be handed in in 10 minutes Resolving Conflict Minor conflicts may often be resolved by compromising. Compromising should never have harmful consequences or go against your values. A better strategy may be negotiating. The use of communication and, in many cases, compromise to settle a disagreement

4. The Negotiation Process • Take time to calm down and think • Let everyone take turns explaining their side of the conflict without interruption • Ask for clarification to be sure everyone understands • Brainstorm solutions • Discuss advantages and disadvantages to each solution • Agree on a solution acceptable to all sides • Follow up to see if solution is successful • Preparing for negotiation • Choose time and place carefully • Check your facts • Plan what you will say TIP: Stay calm and keep an open mind

5. Mediation is necessary when two parties cannot reach a solution. A third party (neutral party) is brought in to help resolve conflicts peacefully • Effective mediation depends on these basic principles: • Neutrality • Confidentiality • Well defined ground rules • Peer Mediation- a process in which specially trained students help other students resolve conflicts peacefully. • Making introductions • Establishing ground rules • Hearing each side • Exploring solutions • Wrapping it up Complete the Lesson 2 Assessment on page 228 1-5 to be handed in in 10 minutes

6. Violence is the threatened or actual use of physical force or power to harm another person or to damage property. • Causes of violent acts • Uncontrolled anger or frustration • A need to control others • Hatred or prejudice against a particular group • Retaliation or revenge for some past harm, whether real or perceived 35.5% of teens had been in a physical fight 4.2% of teens had been injured in a physical fight requiring medical care • Certain risk factors make children and teens more likely to be involved in violence. If their families or friends are • Poor • Low levels of education • Involved in illegal activities.

7. Things that decrease the likelihood of involvement in violence • Committed to school • Negative attitude towards crime • Roles of alcohol and drugs • Lowers self control, less self restraint • Damages judgment, may overreact, fail to consider the consequences • May engage in violent activities to gain money for drugs • Users are more likely to engage in high risk behaviors Many violent teens weren’t users before they were violent. The violence leads to other problems • Mental and Emotional Problems • Low self esteem • Way of getting back at the system for lack of success • Stress, depression, and anger

8. Availability of Weapons • 1 in 5 high school students admit to carrying a weapon in the past 30 days • To protect yourself from the dangers associated with weapons • Do not carry a weapon. People who carry a weapon are twice as likely to be a victim • If you know that someone is carrying a weapon tell a trusted adult • If your parents keep a gun, encourage them to equip it with a trigger lock and store it unloaded in a lock box. • Violence in the Media • Influences how people think about violence • Teens who are more aggressive watch more aggressive things Complete the Real World Connection Activity on page 232 #1-3 to be handed in in 5 minutes.

9. Gang Violence Be aware of gang activity in your area, know colors and symbols. • Types of Violence • Assault- unlawful physical attack or threat of attack. • Random violence- violence committed for no particular reason • Homicide- the willful killing of one human being by another • Sexual Violence- any form of unwelcome sexual contact directed at an individual. This may include: • Sexual assault- any intentional sexual attack against another person. • Rape- any form of sexual intercourse that takes place against a person’s will • Avoiding Sexual Violence • Be aware of your surroundings • Refuse to go anywhere alone with someone you don’t know or trust • Attend parties with friends who will look out for you • Avoid alcohol and drugs • Trust your instincts • If a situation feels unsafe, don’t hesitate. GET OUT

10. Responding to a Sexual Attack • Your goal is to survive • In some cases resist, in others submit • Try to stall for time • Distract the attacker • Scream to attract attention • Reporting attack ASAP gives you the best chance to bring attacker to justice • Preserve evidence • Do not bathe or brush your teeth until you have been examined • Seek medical help for injuries and get tested for pregnancy and disease • Hate Crimes • Harassment- racial slurs, stalking, or attempts to exclude a targeted group from community life • Vandalism- offensive messages or symbols to deface buildings • Arson- blow up or set things on fire • Assault and homicide-physically attack or even kill members of the targeted group

11. Best ways to end hate crimes is to change the attitudes behind them. Complete Lesson 3 Assessment on page 235 #1-5 to be handed in in 5 minutes

12. Preventing and overcoming abuse • Clues that a dating relationship may be abusive • Pressure the other into sexual activity • Pressure to make the relationship serious or exclusive right away • Jealousy or possessiveness • Attempts to control the other’s behavior • Yells, swears, or otherwise emotionally attacks the other • Threatens the other with physical violence • Forms of Abuse • Physical abuse- pattern of intentionally causing bodily harm or injury • Emotional abuse- pattern of attacking another person’s emotional development and sense of worth. • Verbal abuse- the use of words to mistreat or injury another person • Sexual abuse – pattern of sexual contact that is forced upon a person against the person’s will • Stalking- repeatedly following, harassing, or threatening an individual

13. Protecting yourself from abuse • Hang out with people who share your values and treat you with respect. • Know your own limits and communicate those expectations • Avoid drugs and alcohol • Know the warning signs of abuse • Trust your instincts • Seek help if necessary • Remember you are not to blame for anyone else’s behavior Date rape/acquaintance rape- occurs when one person in a dating relationship forces the other person to take part in sexual intercourse 40 % of females and 10% of males know their attacker • Injuries from rape may include: • Scratches • Bruises • Broken bones • Mental and emotional scarring • Chronic pain • Depression • Eating disorders • Stomach problems • Pregnancy • STD’s • Feelings of anxiety, guilt, and distrust • Post traumatic stress disorder

14. Some rapists use drugs or alcohol to subdue their victims. • Rohypnol (roofies) • GHB • Ketamine • Avoiding Date Rape • Avoid being alone with a date you don’t trust or know well • Avoid alcohol and drugs. Stay sober and aware • Be clear about your sexual limits • Always get your own beverage at parties and never leave it unattended • Make sure you have a way home other than your date • If you start to feel dizzy, disoriented, or otherwise unwell tell someone you trust Complete the “Real Life Issues” section on page 236 Complete the Math Practice on page 247 #1-3