The peer mediation strategy for conflict resolution among students has which of the following advantages?

• A. Teachers and administrators guide the process and determine the final outcome
• B. The students involved can work out their problems without the interference of a third party
• C. The students involved in the conflict have a fellow student present to help them work out their differences
• D. The students can choose not to come to an agreement

Answer: (C)

Peer mediation relies on a trained student mediator to guide disputing students through a structured, neutral dialogue. The key advantage is having a fellow student present to help them express concerns, identify underlying interests, brainstorm solutions, and reach a voluntary, mutually acceptable agreement. This setup promotes ownership of the outcome, reduces perceived power imbalances, and gives peers a concrete, relatable way to develop and practice conflict-resolution skills.

The other options don’t fit as well. When adults—teachers or administrators—control the process and decide the final result, the resolution isn’t driven by the students themselves, which undercuts the empowerment and skill-building that mediation aims to cultivate. Without a mediating third party, there’s less structure to keep conversations productive and fair. And while mediation encourages reaching an agreement, the goal isn’t to coerce a deal; it’s to enable voluntary resolution, so the option to walk away from an agreement isn’t an inherent advantage of the process.