Conflict Resolution and Alternative Dispute Resolution
The marriage institution is one of the hardest and most difficult institutions to manage. It requires commitment and sacrifice of the highest standards because it is a lifelong process and the parties involved ought to respect each other’s interests. This is a case where two different people commit to spend the rest of their lives together in the name of love. However, somewhere along the way, things seem to change, as it was the case with the Patton’s family. The family lived together for long until their disabled son was born. Things immediately changed because the husband could not accept the fact that he was a father of a disabled child. He looked down on his wife because he had all the money and his behavior changed to an unusually unbecoming husband to a wife hating man. Nevertheless, there are ways to solve the conflict and attain a common ground on the matter.
One of the ways to solve the conflict is by mediation. Mediation is a diverse process that compares alternatives and contemplates reality. It takes into consideration opinions from both parties. The method focuses on the interests of those involved rather than the hard-line stands they take. The courts may not be the best alternative like Robert, Denise chose to, instead putting opinions together, and analyzing alternatives based on mutual interests may form the foundation for a reunion. Mediation may seem a second-class justice, but I think it is the best way forward for this couple that has lived together for over 20 years only to be broken apart by the blessing of a disabled child. Mediation, however, long it takes strikes a conclusion that serves and puts into consideration the interests of the two parties because a common ground has to be reached.
