Cultural competence in family mediation

Abstract

Family mediation includes working with peoples of diverse cultures. Mediators need to learn about other cultures and become creative in their work with clients with diverse backgrounds. Using examples from Vietnamese, Pakistani, and Ismaili communities, this article discusses ways mediators can enhance their ability to work with people from different cultures.

Responses of Asian American and European American mediators to a conflict communication scale

“…As mediation has become more widespread and has gained an increasingly diverse clientele, questions have been raised regarding the degree to which the neighborhood justice center model is cross-culturally appropriate or effective (Barsky, Este, and Collins, 1996;Lund, Morris, and LeBaron-Duryea, 1994). The need to assess the cross-cultural appropriateness of the neighborhood justice center model becomes an ethical obligation with the trend toward institutionalizing and mandating mediation.…”

Beyond the “identity”‐paradigm: Conflict resolution and the dynamics of self‐understanding

“…The meeting was to serve the methodological aim of strengthening the "intercultural" perspective in conflict research and of introducing conflict research to cultural theorists (philosophers, theologians, and other scholars in the humanities) from around the world. That conflict research might gain from cross-cultural comparisons of cultural technologies of peace has been noted time and again since the 1990s (see, e.g., Barsky, Ester, and Collins, 1996;Callister and Wall, 1997;Fry, 2007;Kemp, 2004;Sunoo, 1990;Tyler and others, 1998;and Wall and Callister, 1995). But recent handbooks and textbooks-such as those by Cheldelin, Druckman, and Fast (2003); Druckman (2005); Druckman and Diehl (2006); and Hermann (2006)-have little to offer on the methodological requirements of a cross-cultural or intercultural perspective in conflict research.…”

African Americans in mediation literature: A neglected population

“…With the recent exception of Mabry (1998), there are few examples of published, accessible, and culturally specific mediation literature written specifically about African Americans. Fortunately, the mediation literature is not totally devoid of cultural diversity subject matter (see Augsburger, 1992;Barsky, Este, and Collins, 1996;Delgado and others, 1985;Duryea, 1992;Kriteck, 1994;Lederach, 1995;McCormick, 1997;Merry, 1990;Meierding, 1992;and Willrich, 1989).…”

“…Culturally specific literature can facilitate this process by helping mediators gain basic information. Barsky, Este, and Collins (1996) believe that "mediators must continuously strive for greater self-awareness and identify beliefs that inhibit effective cross-cultural practice" (p. 169). There are some excellent examples of culturally specific work, such as LeResche (1992) on the Korean-American harmony-restoration process and Bluehouse and Zion (1993) on Navajo justice.…”