NCJ Number
141270
Journal
Meditation Quarterly Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1992) Pages: 129-153
Date Published
1992
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This article explores three aspects of the feminist critique of family mediation, namely, values, empowerment, and violence, in an effort to show how a model of therapeutic family mediation can be rendered feminist informed.
Abstract
The feminist critique of family mediation involves the four general arguments of neutrality, equality, rights, and practice strandards which translate into ten specific assertions. These specific assertions involve: the failure of neutrality, bias favoring shared parenting, patriarchal power and inequality, failure of empowerment, mediation and family violence unconscionable, coercive mediation and equality, mediation as a lesser forum, no enforcement mechanism, sensitivity to "hidden" family violence, and mediator not accountable. The most reasonable course in response to these arguments is to regard family mediation as a valid alternative to litigation as long as it responds to criticism and particularly to feminist criticism. Concluding remarks focus on the three concerns viewed as the core of the critique: neutrality, empowerment, and violence. Important changes are proposed to render thrapeutic family mediation feminist-informed. 2 figures and 109 references