CREATIVE CONFLICT RESOLUTION - FAMILY

• NCJ Number: 54915
• Author(s): S KESSLER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 0 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute for Professional Training
• Corporate Author: National Institute for Professional Training
• Sale Source: Not Available Through National Institute of Justice/NCJRS Document Loan Program; National Institute for Professional Training
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. 20 MINUTES, 16MM COLOR, 1978 RENTAL ALSO AVAILABLE

Annotation

THIS FILM OUTLINES A FOUR-STEP PROCESS FOR INFORMALLY RESOLVING THE SORTS OF CONFLICTS COMMONLY ENCOUNTERED IN THE COURSE OF A DIVORCE, INCLUDING CUSTODY ISSUES AND CHILD SUPPORT AND ALIMONY SETTLEMENTS.

Abstract

THE ILLUSTRATED CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCESS REVOLVES AROUND RELAXED, MULTISESSION NEGOTIATIONS INVOLVING A MEDIATOR AND SELECTED PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT, WHICH MAY INCLUDE CHILDREN, PARENTS, ACCOUNTANTS, AND BROKERS AS WELL AS THE COUPLE THEMSELVES. THE FIRST STEP SETS THE STAGE FOR THE PROCESS BY ESTABLISHING THE RULES OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, SETTING THE EMOTIONAL TONE, OBTAINING COMMITMENTS WITH RESPECT TO ATTENDANCE AND COOPERATION, AND FORESHADOWING THE STEPS THAT FOLLOW. NEXT, THE ISSUES AT THE ROOT OF THE CONFLICT ARE DEFINED; EACH PARTY STATES HIS OR HER SIDE AND THE MEDIATOR STRIVES TO BALANCE THE FACTS OF THE MATTER AND DETERMINE THE REAL ISSUES. THEN THESE ISSUES ARE PROCESSED; THE PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT EXCHANGE ROLES AND EXAMINE THE SITUATION FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES, WHILE THE MEDIATOR WORKS TO MANAGE THE EMOTIONAL CLIMATE, DEVELOP A SENSE OF EMPATHY, AND MAINTAIN EQUALITY. IF THESE THREE STEPS ARE SUCCESSFUL, THEY LEAD TO A RESOLUTION EQUITABLE TO BOTH PARTIES AND AGREED TO IN WRITING. IF THE PROCESS IS UNSUCCESSFUL OR IF THE AGREEMENT IS LATER BREACHED, FORMAL LITIGATION WOULD NORMALLY RESULT. SEE ALSO NCJ 54916.