Taking the "Me" Out of Mediation
Delores Manwar
The "Me" impacts many areas of the mediation process. We can leave the “Me” out of mediation and replace it with an armor of understanding, empathy, open mindedness, and non-judgmental practices.   1 Comment

Prenups – Don’t Lawyer Up, Mediate!
Laurie Israel
Prenup articles typically talk about how resolving and clarifying money issues prior to marriage is a good thing.   However, they do not take into account the very important component of most good marriages: the sharing of money and resources.  So prenups aren't necessarily the best thing since sliced bread -- they can pose many problems for the future spouses.

The Influence of Cultural Diversity in Mediating Complex Multi-Party and Catastrophic Loss Conflict
Joe Epstein, Robyn McDonald
To Americans, “cultural diversity” means experiences derived from the differences in race, religion, gender, age, ethnicity and more recently, sexual orientation. Yet, this definition is a bit myopic; consider the implications of: immigration status, socio-economic and marital status, work experiences (blue collar/white collar, unemployed/underemployed), education, group memberships (NRA, ADL, Sierra Club, John Birch Society, Greenpeace, ACLU, Tea Party Movement), political affiliations, parenthood, disabled or disadvantaged or other significant life experiences - as they too, impact the concept of cultural diversity.   1 Comment

Why "She Negotiates"
Victoria Pynchon
There's a new blog on the block called She Negotiates hosted by popular blogger Victoria Pynchon. Why she negotiates? Read here!

Gender Bias in ADR
Diane J. Levin, Victoria Pynchon
This is the list of blog postings compiled by Diane Levine and Victoria Pynchon on Gender Bias in ADR which have been posted in celebration of International Women's Day and Women's History Month.

Diane Neumann: Unique Factors of Working with Gays and Lesbians - Video
Diane Neumann
Diane Neumann discusses mediating with a variety of people, including the communication factors that are unique to working with Gays and Lesbians.

Gender Justice In Ghana Through Court-Connected ADR
Senyo M. Adjabeng
Women and children have mostly been the most vulnerable when any form of trouble befalls a group of people. In ensuring that the vulnerable especially women and children obtain speedy and effective justice, Court-Connected (Court Annexed) ADR may be considered as an explorable opportunity and alternative for reaching a mutually acceptable resolution in some cases of abuse or potential abuse.

Race, Gender, and Class: How Much Of A Role Do They Play In Mediation?
Elizabeth Moreno
Recent studies have come to life as to the role race, gender and class of the mediator plays in mediation. Does race play any discernible role in mediation compared to gender or socioeconomic class?   7 Comments

Report from the Wingspread Conference on Domestic Violence and Family Courts
Clare Dalton, Nancy Ver Steegh
In February of 2007 the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts brought together a working group of thirty-seven experienced practitioners and researchers to identify and explore conceptual and practical tensions that have hampered effective work with families in which domestic violence has been identified or alleged. Five central sets of issues were raised at the conference and are discussed in this report. These include the following: differentiation among families experiencing domestic violence; screening and triage; participation by families in various processes and services; appropriate outcomes for children; and family court roles and resources. The report emphasizes the need for continued multidisciplinary collaboration in order to better serve families affected by domestic violence and it includes an appendix of consensus points as well as suggestions for formation of ongoing work groups.

Negotiating Like a Woman - How Gender Impacts Communication between the Sexes
Nina Meierding, Jan Frankel Schau
Anyone who has ever been married will admit that men and women argue differently. It should be no surprise to learn that women and men negotiate and communicate differently as well. After many years of practicing law and serving as mediators, the authors believe that there are certain ways than men communicate that are distinct from “a woman’s voice.” Mediators and representatives can utilize their knowledge of gender communication to foster better resolutions between parties.   4 Comments

Will Businesses Begin To Demand That Legal Counsel Use Diverse Mediators?
Elizabeth Moreno
As a result of demands from leading companies who are its clients, law firms now have diversity policies and programs to recruit and retain diverse partners and associates. Will these companies demand that law firms address diversity in the pool of mediators it uses?

The Game is Changing
Paula Young
Litigation is largely a competitive game of one-upsmanship. As a mediator, I know a better game.It has fewer rules, but it requires more diverse skills.   1 Comment

How Mediation Can Help Same Gender Relationships
Barry Simon
Since same gender couples cannot legally marry yet in most states and foreign countries, how can they formalize their relationships? By using a "Living Together Agreement." In this way they can couple consciously in an attempt to create a solid foundation on which to build their relationship. It's the perfect tool for sweeping away false expectations and building honest, authentic communication.   2 Comments

Boys To Men: Media Messages About Masculinity
Children Now
Highly publicized acts of violence by young males have captured the concern of the country as child experts nationwide search to understand the difficulties boys face today. While there is a considerable amount of finger pointing at the media, there is a dearth of research on the messages the media sends boys and girls about what it means to be a man in America. Boys to Men: Media Messages About Masculinity, released today by Children Now, a national child advocacy organization, begins to fill in the picture. Forum Discussion   1 Comment

When Should Race, Gender Or Culture Be A Factor When Considering The Mediator?
Fred Butler
As a mediator, when I consider this question, I come up with the obvious answer. It is the one that all mediators would agree upon. Namely, "When the parties want and believe that the consideration of the race, gender or culture of the mediator would help resolve their dispute.   2 Comments

The Gentle Revolution: Men and Women at Work - what goes wrong and how to fix it

Review by: The Alternative Newsletter Editor, James Boskey
Published by: The Conflict Resolution Network, PO Box 1016, Chatswood, NSW 2057, Australia (440pp 1998) ISBN: 0731805712

Gender, Conflict and Conflict Resolution
Juliana Birkhoff
Gender affects and indeed permeates, conflict dynamics at the societal and individual level. Understanding the role of gender in conflict is best accomplished through an analysis of individual levels, interactional levels and the societal level.   21 Comments

Diversity in Mediation Articles