Opposition to conflict resolution programs is based on the failure of similar programs addressing other health and social problems, questionable assumptions of conflict resolution programs, and the view that conflict resolution programs ignore social and economic conditions that cause youth violence. Even though conflict resolution programs are prevalent, there is no evidence that such programs produce long-term changes in violent behavior or victimization risk. Further, in the absence of other supporting interventions, classroom-based curricula have generally failed to produce sustainable behavior changes among youth. Most conflict resolution programs are based on the following basic premises which lack empirical support: (1) violent behavior is similar to other health behavior, and models of individual health behavior change can be readily applied to the problem of violence; (2) violence prevention training needs of students are similar enough that all will benefit from participation in a standardized program; (3) adolescents who engage in violent behavior do so because of deficiencies in social information processing or other skills needed to solve social conflicts nonviolently; and (4) the most important social skill needed to reduce the risk of violence is how to negotiate one's way through conflict. 1 figure