Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-27-2015
Abstract
Cultural difference associated with being male or female can be rich and interesting, and can generate excitement that continually change the nature of human relations. In this respect, African culture is dynamic in the exploration of gender difference/similarities, roles, and stereotypes. The dynamism can be a source of great confusion and conflict. In general, gender debates on the extent to which men and women are similar/different cut across cultures and the conversation is on-going. Similarly, research is strong on the differences between men and women as third party interveners, and how disputants are different on gender styles and standards of behavior. The field of mediation itself is rapidly changing and continually growing in importance. This manual sensitizes professional mediators to the need to be conscious of “when gender might be or might not be salient in how mediators perform and in ways that disputants of different genders think or act” (Moore, 2003, p. 58). The essence of Moore’s argument is that gender and power relations influence mediation process in complex and contradictory ways. All things considered, a lot still needs to be learned on gender and mediation to help people disputants transform their situations into meaningful stories.