Conflicts and gender violence in adolescence. Analysis of discursive strategies and resources for coeducation

Abstract

Conflict and violence in adolescents are on the rise in recent years. The interest in this phenomenon, such as peer rejection in groups or mistreatment in couples, has therefore greatly increased. In regard to this, we propose to study adolescents´ responses in situations of conflict and violence, in order to identify resolution discursive strategies and their association with these two contexts; also offer some practical guidelines for intervention. Argumentative discourse (2250 utterances) of 42 adolescents, boys and girls, discussing two dilemmas (group conflict and partner violence) in groups, was analyzed qualitatively. The results show different themes and discursive strategies of coping with group conflicts and partner violence, and greater differences between boys and girls in the latter. Finally, we provide a training activity addressed to teachers about this area.