Poll: Putting Children in Martial Arts

[Visulth]

All humans have the primitive fight or flight response, and since killing and attacking other humans is so common, wouldn't you think it'd be a really high priority to learn how to protect yourself at an early age--or for that matter, to put your children in martial arts at an early age?

Let me provide some back story: I was bullied from kindergarten all the way up to 6th grade when I was lucky enough to go through a growth spurt and my height warded off the bullies. I soon grew interested in martial arts and have been doing them since I was about 15. Now, not a day goes by when I don't regret beating the ever living crap out of the bullies, or at least being able to protect myself.

These days, I see lots of news about kids getting bullied in school and it always reminds me of how ineffective teachers are at helping kids who are being tormented and I wish these kids would take up some martial arts so that they'd punch these bullies in the throat.

Similarly, I'm Indian and unfortunately more traditional members of my culture see fit to beat their wives and all I can think about is how people should fight back. This applies to girls and women too, who have to deal with harassment from men day in and day out, not to mention the threat of physical abuse or rape in the shadier parts of society.

So what do you all think? Would you put your kids in martial arts, or would you seek non-violence?

(Note: I don't think the argument of which martial art to go in should hijack the thread, so try and refrain from " is better than ".)

 

[El Poncho]

I think knowing a Martial Art is always a good thing (to bad I couldn't be bothered continuing with it).

Although I would always look for the non-violent answer at the same time.

 

[Kiefer13]

Put them in martial arts? No. If they showed interest in one though I'd let them go for it if that's what they wanted. I've never personally trained in a martial art, but quite a lot of them seem to be more about flash and style than actually teaching people to win real fights. Which is fine if that's why you take them, but if you're actually wanting to learn how to defend yourself, I think something like Krav Maga might be better than a more "traditional" martial art.

It's like the difference between fencing and swordfighting. One has rules and is meant for spectacle and tournaments. The other has no rules and is for actually defending yourself in a fight. Of course, this is just an outsider's perspective. I'm no expert or anything.

Violence should certainly not be the first resort, of course, and should only be employed when it becomes obvious that a peaceful solution to a hostile situation cannot be reached.

 

[CallmeMerry]

Well, I took martial arts for about 7-8 years when I was growing up, but now the whole job+college+family stuff gets in the way so I don't practice anymore, and I think it is a great idea. I was in Tae Kwon Do for the majority of my experience, but I did jump around to some other stuff on the side for about 2-3 years.

It definitely is nice knowing that I feel comfortable in being able to defend myself, but one of the biggest lessons I learned is that if we have to fight, we have already lost. There is a lot more into martial arts then just kicking and punching, contrary to what a lot of people may believe. I feel martial arts is a lot more mental then physical and requires a lot of concentration. That said, whether it is for sport or for practical self-defense, it is a great hobby. And like I said earlier, even though I know how to fight, doesn't mean I want to. I was taught to always seek a non-violent solution first, but if nothing works, then at least I am able to protect myself.

 

[Nickolai77]

I think the bully's themselves would be the ones more interested in learning how to fight. Their victims, sterotypically, are not usually inclined towards physical sport, and i imagine many would only take it up after being on the rough end of bullying.

The thing is though, (from my experiences) most bullying consists of verbal harrasment, and no amount of prowless of martial arts will help you there. Really what you need is a quick wit, and be socially and enviromentally aware enough to know how to avoid getting bullied. The ultimate anti-bullying weapon is your own brain.

 

[klakkat]

I would prefer they know how to fight, and have enough discipline to exercise regularly, and martial arts training at a young age helps promote those. However, if the kid isn't enjoying it, I wouldn't make 'em go for very long (they'd have to go for at least a bit, to give it an honest try).

 

[CallmeMerry]

Put them in martial arts? No. If they showed interest in one though I'd let them go for it if that's what they wanted. I've never personally trained in a martial art, but quite a lot of them seem to be more about flash and style than actually teaching people to win real fights. Which is fine if that's why you take them, but if you're actually wanting to learn how to defend yourself, I think something like Krav Maga might be better than a more "traditional" martial art.

It's like the difference between fencing and swordfighting. One has rules and is meant for spectacle and tournaments. The other has no rules and is for actually defending yourself in a fight. Of course, this is just an outsider's perspective. I'm no expert or anything.

You are surprisingly accurate considering no experience. Krav Maga is a pretty extreme martial art, and I would be surprised if kids would even be allowed to take lessons. A lot of martial arts (like karate and Tae Kwon Do) do focus more on the sport side of it, but there is still a lot of practical self-defense lessons mixed in there. When you watch tournaments of people fighting, that isn't how a street fight will normally happen, but there are plenty of lessons to learn that can help out in that situation.

 

[Noone From Nowhere]

Martial Arts is good for the kids. Builds strong bones...if it works anything like cow's milk if Mister T was telling us all the truth.
It's not too good for teens and adults who have to walk on their knees, use one hand and telegraph all of their punches during sparring matches, though.
My answer would be 'Maybe'.

 

[Rednog]

Personally, I would not.
I took martial arts for like 5-6 years and while it is interesting for a kid to know. Most places really don't teach very effective self defense techniques. Yea you might scare a bully by throwing a punch or a kick and yelling Hiyah! But honestly don't learn any real defense for a dangerous situation.
One of my friends learned this the hard way, in karate they told us if some one is lunging at you with a knife you side step, grab the wrist, apply force to the elbow and bring the arm back and behind the person. This is honestly an incredibly stupid idea and you really can't pull this off unless you have super reflexes. The wrist is a small target to grab onto and way too close to the weapon. My friend tried it on a guy who attacked him and he ended up getting his own arm shredded as the wielder pulled the knife back.
Also in a lot of fights most kids just throw any learning out the window and swing wildly.
In the end most kids quit martial arts and it is just like signing them up for sports, very few go on to actually do something with it.

 

[Daniel Cygnus]

I'd do it if my kid was interested. Besides, one of the big things they teach you is to only use it in self-defense, not to beat the shit out of anyone and everyone.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

Now see, the problem with self defence classes is that alot of the counters require to be used in a control environment. I'll admit there are some that have proved very useful to me, but most of them don't seem to work, when the guy I'm fighting against isn't pulling punches.

It's probably a good idea, if only to give the kids confidence in themselves. Cause a lot of bullies aren't as keen as soon as the kids start standing up for themselves. Perhaps some form should be intergrated into school PE lessons?

 

[razer17]

All humans have the primitive fight or flight response, and since killing and attacking other humans is so common, wouldn't you think it'd be a really high priority to learn how to protect yourself at an early age--or for that matter, to put your children in martial arts at an early age?

But, if you give all kids martial arts training, theen the bullies will know it too. And since they will be more willing to fight, and usually have a better fighting physique, you pretty much just end up back at square one.

I also think there's something inherently wrong with sending your young child to fight others.

 

[Trivun]

No, because I think it's up to the child. If my hypothetical son or daughter decided they wanted to learn martial arts, then I would support them and let them do it. But I wouldn't force them to learn martial arts simply for protection, in case they didn't want to do it. If people want to do something then fine, if not they shouldn't be forced into it for no good reason.

 

[WhamBamSam]

I've been in Taekwondo since the summer after kindergarten (I'm now a freshman in college), and I can say that I'd definitely advocate putting kids in martial arts. Its true that martial arts sparring is somewhat different from actual self-defense, but a lot of studios teach some of both, and a lot of it is just applying some of the same ideas in a slightly different way. TKD sparring has rules, but anyone that knew anything about it wouldn't hesitate to punch to the face, grab, knee, etc. in an actual situation if it were necessary, and they would be better at it as a result of the training. Martial Arts will make them better at the simplest strikes in ways that a lot of people might not realize, they'll have better visual awareness, and perhaps most importantly they'll feel like they can win.

And just to be clear, a big part of what I would want them to get out of martial arts is discipline. I'd like my kids to be able to defend themselves if they needed to, but I'd also want them to show restraint in situations where violence wasn't necessary, and I'd want to be sure they didn't become the bullies themselves.

 

[silver wolf009]

Martial arts are fine for people with morals, and alot of young children seem to be lacking them. Why give them a way to make themselves more deadly when they cant tell when to stop?

 

[driveBYargument]

Putting kids in martial arts is just training bullies, bullies that fight more efficiently. Those with power will seek to wield it. Give a person power and they will use it for their own ends whether good or otherwise. Training kids in martial arts to simply "fight back" isn't the correct way, nor is it the intent of what martial arts are trying to convey. Martin Luther King Jr. described it as an endless spiral of hatred, both sides squaring off to no eventual end or purpose.
However, if martial arts is to be taught to children as a discipline, where we teach each other and understand what it means to fight, why we fight, and what to do with power, I have no problem with it.

 

[Krantos]

It depends on the institute. I've been to a really poor one and 2 really good ones. Before placing your child in a martial arts class, sit down and talk to the instructor. Ask him what they'll be teaching. If the only thing that they'll be teaching is how to kick and punch, go somewhere else.

Martial arts for adults and martial arts for kids are very different things. A good children's martial arts instructor will teach discipline and restraint first and techniques second. The dojo I went to as a child had a very simple rule: get into a fight at school and you were out. The instructor wasn't teaching us how to fight, he was teaching us the rewards of discipline and dedication, as well as building our confidence through mastering the various forms, or series of movements.

The dojo I went after that one was horrible. The "instructor" did not actually teach the classes. They were run by some of his advanced students, most of whom were still in high school. Not the type of people that know how to teach values.

Like I said, I think that a child can benefit greatly from learning a martial art, but only if they have a good instructor.

 

[Aunel]

fuck fighting I'm a massive coward!
I'll run, and I'll run fast

unless they are bitching about bass, if they do that they have an angry dutchmen on their arse!

 

[cartzo]

martial arts are great (providing that they stick with like i didn't), they teach disiplin and i suppose quite importantly provides an outlet.
but i bet 90% of people on this site have once taken part in a martial art class and stopped whilst still a white or yellow belt.