When Should Race, Gender Or Culture Be A Factor When Considering The Mediator?
As a mediator, when I consider this question, I come up with the obvious answer. It is the one that all mediators would agree upon. Namely, “When the parties want and believe that the consideration of the race, gender or culture of the mediator would help resolve their dispute.” This is basic for the trained mediator. We understand that while it is true that the process belongs to the mediator, the dispute and its resolution belongs to the parties. Therefore the success of the mediation rest with the parties. It is this empowerment of the parties that make the process work and if the parties or their advocates believe that the race, sex and gender of the mediator is important, then it is important. Still, is it that simple? Some of us, educated in the sixties in community development concepts remember theories about basic human needs. One that stands out for me is George Herbert Mead’s “Looking Glass Theory”(1) , which hypothesizes that “I am what you think I am.” Sometimes, more than
As a mediator, when I consider this question, I come up with the obvious answer. It is the one that all mediators would agree upon. Namely, “When the parties want and believe that the consideration of the race, gender or culture of the mediator would help resolve their dispute.” This is basic for the trained mediator. We understand that while it is true that the process belongs to the mediator, the dispute and its resolution belongs to the parties. Therefore the success of the mediation rest with the parties. It is this empowerment of the parties that make the process work and if the parties or their advocates believe that the race, sex and gender of the mediator is important, then it is important. Still, is it that simple? Some of us, educated in the sixties in community development concepts remember theories about basic human needs. One that stands out for me is George Herbert Mead’s “Looking Glass Theory”(1) , which hypothesizes that “I am what you think I am.” Sometimes, more than
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- When Should Race, Gender Or Culture Be A Factor When Considering The Mediator?
