Conflict occurs when two activities are incompatible. This means that one person or group engages in an activity that interferes with a second activity by another person or group. Conflicts occur often in schools, where large numbers of students of different backgrounds clash over a variety of problems.
Students may experience verbal conflict when the ideas and opinions of one student are at odds with the ideas and opinions of a schoolmate. Disagreement is not necessarily a bad thing in schools. Academic disagreement between students can produce a lively discussion in the classroom, and lead to heightened engagement on the part of students as those who disagree come to consensus. Teachers can assist students in making disagreement productive so that learning will take place. However, when verbal conflict becomes aggressive and students are subjected to such behavior as name-calling, taunting and even threats, it may be time for the school to step in.
Social conflict among students takes place when there is harm to an individual’s group acceptance. Aggressive social behavior may take the form of gossip, spreading rumors, humiliation or exclusion from group activities. Another form of social conflict involves ethnic slurs, an increasingly important area in today’s diverse population. Racial or ethnic harassment can escalate into destruction of property or even physical or verbal attacks.
These two forms of conflict between students have come under increasing scrutiny. We now recognize that unwelcome sexual comments or jokes may be considered sexual harassment, and must be stopped. Cyber-bullying, harming an individual by using information or communication technology, such as e-mail, social networking and text messages, is particularly difficult to deal with because it is so pervasive.
Programs such as the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program can help schools deal with serious conflict between students. Schools can first evaluate the level of conflict at school, and find out when and where it occurs. Then the program is put into place to change the social climate of the school. This is a difficult task, but it can be successful when everyone from the superintendent to the administrators, parents, teachers, students and even support staff, such as bus drivers and lunch room workers, are all on the same page. Rules are enforced, and staff intervenes immediately if an incident occurs. Teachers involve the students by allotting time to activities aimed at dealing with conflict, such as the use of conflict resolution techniques and peer mediation.