Conflict is a natural and inescapable part of life.
Violent and nonviolent responses to conflict, on the other hand, are learned. We live in a culture of violence. It's important to address the role that schools play in shaping young people's knowledge of conflict and violence in preparing them for responsible citizenship. Whether or not students are prepared and confident enough to handle their conflicts nonviolently depends on whether they possess certain skills - the ability to listen, communicate, see the other person's point of view, negotiate, problem solve, and compromise. Thousands of schools have implemented conflict resolution programs in their schools, usually in the form of peer mediation.