What is the outcome of engaging in a power struggle?

• A. Engaging in a power struggle will likely make the situation worse
• B. Engaging in a power struggle will likely make the situation better
• C. It will have no effect
• D. It will calm the youth

Answer: (A)

Power struggles tend to escalate conflict rather than resolve it. When one person pushes to win control, the other often digs in, becomes defensive, and the interaction shifts from solving a problem to who’s in charge. This dynamic typically increases stress, fuels further misbehavior, and makes cooperation much harder to achieve. A better approach is to reduce escalation by setting clear boundaries calmly and engaging in collaborative problem solving—acknowledging feelings, offering limited choices, and working with the youth to meet underlying needs. This tends to calm the situation and lead to more durable, cooperative solutions.