Magda, David, and Rashida have been friends since the sixth grade. One of their favorite activities is to go to the mall and look around in the stores. Sometimes they make purchases and sometimes they are just window-shopping. There are lots of young people who do this, and it is fun to see people and hang out. Recently, a number of stores at the mall have experienced an increase in shoplifting and vandalism. As a result, the stores have made a policy that no one under 16 years of age can enter without a parent or guardian. The new rules also state that if you are between the ages of 16 and 18 you cannot enter the store in groups larger than two. Other teens have to wait outside until each pair leaves. Store owners have threatened to call the police if the young people give them any trouble about the new policies.

This policy makes Magda, David, and Rashida angry. They believe it is unfair. After all, they are paying customers and spend money in these stores. Why is the rule directed only at young people? They do not want to get into trouble with the police, but they do not understand why they have to be treated as troublemakers when they have not done anything wrong.

The manager of the shopping mall, along with one of the store owners, has agreed to meet with two of the teens and a mediator to try to find some workable solutions.

Problem 4.2

In preparation for the mediation session, the disputants should consider the following issues:

a. What are your concerns? How would you state the issue in the dispute?
b. What is your starting position (demand)? What are your underlying interests (what do you really want)?
c. What is the best conceivable outcome from your perspective?
d. What do you think the starting position and underlying interests of the other side will be?