I think enrolling children in martial arts classes at a young age can help them a lot. If you enroll them young, as older kids or even adults they will have more experience.
Martial arts helps most of all not because it helps children learn how to fight but because it helps children learn when to fight and how to avoid avoid fighting. The latter two skills help people protect themselves much more than the first one.
I think of prevention as the most effective form of self-defense. Once we get into a dangerous situation or a violent conflict, we have already greatly increased our risk of injury or victimization.
When looking for a martial arts school for your child or yourself, try to find one that focuses on prevention and avoidance. The same goes for any self-defense classes. You want to learn how to avoid getting harmed, not how to fight well.
What do you think?
Wednesday, August 18th 2010 at 4:58 am
Martial Arts is a great deal for kids. It is something they will enjoy and for sure they will learn a lot, that includes discipline. It can be a good alternative for outdoor sports. Kids are also vulnerable to crime and Martial Arts are something they should learn also for self defense.
Monday, December 8th 2008 at 6:14 pm
my husband is all for this. He wants to enroll our children in Ju Jitsu classes and I think that it really is not that bad of an idea these days!
Monday, October 27th 2008 at 5:07 pm
Hey man!
I ve been in martial arts for 7 years now and have grown from an below averidge amateur to the almost proffessional muay thai fighter.
I belive that that enrolling kids at youg age in martial arts is great idea.
Not just for sake of self defense but also couse involving them in sprots makes their bodies stronger and also gives them good and strong foundation for the future- being an athlete and avoid alcohol, drugs, smoking etc.
Tuesday, September 23rd 2008 at 8:47 pm
I agree with putting your children into karate classes. It builds character, gives exercise in this techno world as well the basics of self-defence
Tuesday, January 1st 2008 at 12:18 am
Hi Scott,
I think this is generally good advice for a self-defense oriented martial arts school. I think if a parent is not as concerned as the nuts and bolts of karate or judo – he or she might want to look for pure self-defense lessons. I think the worthiness either way can be argued but as always… the parent should make an informed decision before selecting a school. You might be interested my post entitled, “How to Evaluate a School” at: http://myselfdefenseblog.com/http:/myselfdefenseblog.com/how-to-evaluate-a-school/ as it goes into what insight I may have to offer on this important issue.
Keep up the good work! I saw your link on Joanne Factor’s blog.
John W. Zimmer
MySelfDefenseBlog.com