U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Playing With Fire: Creative Conflict Resolution for Young Adults

NCJ Number
176156
Author(s)
F Macbeth; N Fine
Date Published
1995
Length
163 pages
Annotation
This manual presents a comprehensive training program designed to help teenagers and young adults deal creatively with interpersonal conflict and violence.
Abstract
The course is aimed primarily at professional trainers in the youth service field, those who are responsible for conducting training programs for youth work professionals and volunteers, but it is also intended for use by anyone who works with young people. The key principle embodied in the course is one of individual respect. All course participants are made to feel they are valued and respected, even when admitting to behavior others in the group may find unacceptable. The philosophy and values of the course are based on a belief in the essential creative potential within each individual. Course materials are rich in opportunities for experience and also incorporate drama and role playing. Sessions of the 60-hour training course focus on communication, immediate responses to life events, coping strategies, powerlessness, assertiveness, anger, inequality and empowerment, crisis management, reconciliation, advocacy, mediation, and community action. Exercises are included that have been field tested with multicultural groups of high school students and young offenders.