DEFINITION
- Conflict is defined as disagreement between individuals. It can vary from a mild disagreement to an emotionally parked confrontation.
- It is a clash of interests, values, actions views of direction.
This is connected with intra and interpersonal relations, negotiating skills, coping with emotions and stress. Conflicts are unavoidable and sometimes necessary but non-violent conflict resolution ensures that such conflicts do not become destructive. This can either involve a person resolving his/her conflict situation or assisting others to come to an understanding without resulting to fighting.
Conflicts can also be internal when and individual has two opposing feelings or views about an issue or situation. Well resolved conflicts results in having a peaceful environment
CAUSES OF CONFLICT
- Violation of human rights.
- Misunderstanding
1. Discrimination
This involves mistreating a person based on gender, race ethnic group. When you are discriminated against you are likely to feel angry. You may confront the person who has discriminated against you and this can lead to conflict.
2. Religious intolerance
Different religions have different teachings, believe and practices. Without tolerance people from different religions groups will have disagreements e.g. one insulting other religion or forcing the other to convert to their religion this disagreement may develop into conflict.
3. Breakdown in communication
When there is breakdown in communication people misunderstand each other. People can also form wrong opinions about others or about a given issue. It can make them take actions that offend others thereby leading to conflict.
4. Negative ethnicity
It is the believe that one’s culture and ethnic group is superior to other someone holding such an opinion may insult, mistreat and frustrate those from different ethnic group this will result in feelings of bitterness leading to serious conflict.
5. Violation of human rights
When your rights are violated by another person you are likely to confront them and this may lead to conflict e.g. if a person ties forcefully acquire your property. Conflict is likely to arise as you defend your right of property.
6. Inequitable distribution of resource
When there is an equal distribution of resources, those who are given a smaller share may feel cheated, angry and frustrated. They may end up demanding more from the person/group responsible for the distribution they may forcefully try to acquire more resources from those who have being allocated more and this will lead to conflict.
7. Different political inclinations
Members of one political party may insult or try to intimidate members of another party. They may also try to force members of another party to super their party. This can lead to conflict between members of the different parties.
8. Stress
When you are experiencing stress or troubled by some issues we may overreact. In another unrelated situations we may also be unable to reason properly and act intentionally this offend other people who may choose to confront us leading to conflict.
9. Physical and emotional abuse
Conflicts may arise as the person being abused confronts the abuser or demands an end to the abuse.
10. Drugs and substance abuse
When people abuse drugs they lose their self control and inhibitions. The incarge in behavior that may provoke other people into violence they also become unreasonable and a small disagreement can become a major conflict.
11. Strained resources
Competition for scarce water and pasture can lead to serious disagreement.
12. Incitement
Influencing an individual or group to harm or fight others. It involves using lies and creating fear. Those who are may confront others.
How can we avoid conflict?
