Reducing Intergroup Conflict:

Detention Center for Boys

M5A1 - Melissa CriderAugust 10, 2015Argosy University

Reducing Intergroup Conflict:

Detention Center for Boys

M5A1 - Melissa CriderAugust 10, 2015Argosy University

(Image: Stop It Now! & NMCSAP, Inc, 2007, p.1)

Reducing Intergroup Conflict

Lack of Open Communication & Education

“I can see now that there was a lot of secrecy in our son’s life that we thought was normal. If someone had told us that it

was ok to talk to our son about these things, or showed us how to do it, maybe

thiswouldn’t have happened.

(Stop It Now! & NMCSAP, Inc, 2007, p.9).”

Regret of a Mother after it was too late to reach her dead son…

Whether a counselor or caregiver, if a teen begins to exhibit certain qualities or behaviors, you should take

them to a specialized mental health professional as soon as is possible. This prevents suicides and homicides in

America today. Characteristics can include (but are not limited to):

• Sleeplessness or recurring nightmares• An obsessive or repetitive attempt at controlling ordinary

things Attempts at running away from school or home,• Unusual anxiety

• Unusual time at computer: violent video games/chat rooms• Unusual bowel movements or sleep patterns• Tendency to keep secrets, lie, avoid school,

• Hostile behaviors• Avoidance of friends

• Excessive time with friends away from supervision • Self injury

Caution: Spot the Signs

Activities & Programs

To overcome the conflict of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination and learn to work together,

respect each other, and come to see each other's differences as valuable.

• Living Garden Project – Reward, unity, patience, earning, reaping what you sow literally, self-esteem and spirituality

stressed here.• Group Fear Share – regarding their own fears about life,

gangs, not being in a gang – Bonding, commonalities, vulnerability, trust and empathy practiced here.

• Daily Diversity Video – A piece that depicts a story about someone from each of their own cultures or races and how they

achieved better for themselves and became victorious over societal blocks. – Self-worth, identification, shared morale, and

personal goal setting established here. After which, a discussion would ensue wherein the boys would each share a bit

by asking questions regarding the cultural ideas posed in the film/video.

• Talent Show – elucidates their special gifts that none of the boys knew the others had – Likability, bias buster due to

shock/surprise value, intimacy, openness, courage and further bonding by them all doing so are the highlighted strategy here.

1. A Living Garden

Living Garden Project – Reward, unity, patience, earning, reaping what you sow literally, self-esteem and spirituality.From Vimeo, December 2, 2014, The Mustard Seed

at NWA Soul’s Harbor Homeless Shelter https://vimeo.com/113411342

(Vimeo, Souls Harbor NWA, & Atchison, 2014)

2. Group Fear ShareGroup Fear Share – regarding their own

fears about life, gangs, not being in a gang – Bonding, commonalities, vulnerability, trust

and empathy practiced here.

Leading Therapy Groups with Adolescents Video

From YouTube, December 20, 2012:

Click: https://youtu.be/JXkdspdsTK0

(YouTube, Psychotherapy.net, DeLucia-Waack, & Segrist, 2012)

3. Daily Diversity

Video• Daily Diversity Video – A piece that depicts a story about someone

from each of their own cultures or races and how they achieved better for themselves and became victorious over societal blocks. – Self-worth,

identification, shared morale, and personal goal setting established here. After which, a discussion would ensue wherein the boys would

each share a bit by asking questions regarding the cultural ideas posed in the film/video.

Oprah Winfrey hosted a Challenge Day for Teens

The Exercise That Helped High School Students Confront Prejudice

From YouTube, January 1, 2015:

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH THIS VIDEO:https://youtu.be/sFuojkTg0qM

(YouTube, Winfrey, & Challenge Day, 2015)

4. Talent Show

• Talent Show – elucidates their special gifts that none of the boys knew the others had – Likability, bias buster

due to shock/surprise value, intimacy, openness, courage and further bonding by them all doing so are

the highlighted strategy here.Photo/Video:

http://perezhilton.com/perezitos/2014-05-23-michael-jackson-teenager-impersonator-high-school-

dance-winner-invited-mj-estate#.Vcm80bfHc5k

(Hilton, 2014)

● Organize martial arts free public classes for the child to begin to attain a sense of physical/psychological empowerment regarding inner/outer strength and confidence in protecting him/herself in the future.

● Create public group therapy activity groups and classes that are fun and bring out your teen’s talents and interests such as reading groups, poetry groups, game groups, hiking groups, ceramics classes, yoga or meditation activities to rebuild morale and resilience in the child.

● Organize play activities where teens take turns being the leader such as art classes, painting, making and editing their own short films, writing their own plays and directing them, workbook shares, diary clubs, and outdoor games that encourage play and laughter.

● Create weekly community center, church, or social service center free public classes that offer diversity sessions focusing on learning and broadening one’s perspective to preclude bias.

● Help to create a sense of brotherhood, unity, loyalty, and pride.

Community & Unity Can Help with a Teen’s

Resilience!

Hilton, P. (2014, May 23). Michael Jackson estate invites high school MJ mimic. Retrieved August 8, 2015, from http://perezhilton.com/perezitos/ 2014-05-23-michael-jackson-teenager-impersonator-high-school-dance- winner-invited-mj-estate#.Vcm80bfHc5k

Stop It Now!, & NMCSAP, Inc. (2007). Do children sexually abuse other children? New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc,1-11. Retrieved August 9, 2015, from http://nmcsap.org/wp-content/uploads/ NMCSAP

Vimeo, Souls Harbor NWA, & Atchison, J. (2014, December 2). 30k in 30 days - Plant a mustard seed! Retrieved August 8, 2015, from https:// vimeo.com/113411342

YouTube, Psychotherapy.net, DeLucia-Waack, J., Ph.D., & Segrist, A., Ph.D. (2012, December 20). Leading therapy groups with adolescents video. Retrieved August 7, 2015, from https://youtu.be/JXkdspdsTK0

YouTube, Winfrey, O., & Challenge Day. (2015, January 1). The exercise that helped high school students confront prejudice. Retrieved August 6, 2015, from https://youtu.be/sFuojkTg0qM

References