Teaching children self-defense has become a popular topic among parents and educators. My own personal experience with this goes back to my own childhood, learning at first kung fu in early elementary school, and then traditional karate throughout the last year of elementary school and all through high school. I don’t think self-defence factored into my parents decision to get me started in this, but I could be wrong.
I know with the way bullying is ongoing nowadays, I think about self-defense for my children.
While some believe that self-defense classes can help children protect themselves from danger, others argue that it can encourage violence and aggression. Each parent has to weigh the pros and cons of teaching children self-defense before making a decision – but I don’t think there are too many cons if your kid is not the bully. Well, no cons actually if you choose the right school.
Teaching children self-defense can provide numerous benefits. For instance, it can teach children to avoid dangerous situations, boost their confidence, and improve their physical fitness. It can help them in bullying situations at school. Moreover, self-defense classes can teach children valuable life skills such as discipline, respect, and self-control. These skills can help children develop a sense of responsibility and prepare them for challenges they may face in the future.
There are also potential downsides to teaching children self-defense. Some argue that it can promote aggressive behavior, and children may use their skills to bully others. John Danaher, a famous coach in brazilian jiu-jitsu – rightfully says this:
“Jiu-jitsu doesn’t build character, it reveals it. If you’re a scumbag off the mat, you’ll be a scumbag on the mat, but worse because you’ll have all these physical tools.”
Now, Brazilian jiujitsu doesn’t have the same traditions and focus on ethical values that classical martial arts have, (as a generalization), but the general statement is true for any combat art. If your child isn’t the bully, this doesn’t apply.
Benefits of Children’s Self Defense
Self-defense training for children can provide numerous benefits. Here are some of the advantages of teaching children self-defense:
1. Confidence: Self-defense training can help children develop confidence in their abilities to protect themselves in dangerous situations. This can improve their self-esteem and make them less likely to be victims of bullying or harassment.
2. Physical Fitness: Self-defense training can improve children’s physical fitness by developing their strength, endurance, coordination, and flexibility. This can help them stay healthy and active.
3. Self-Discipline: Self-defense training can teach children self-discipline and self-control. They learn to focus their energy and attention, which can help them in other areas of their lives, such as schoolwork.
4. Problem-Solving Skills: Self-defense training can help children develop problem-solving skills. They learn to assess situations and make decisions quickly, which can be useful in many different contexts.
5. Street Awareness: Self-defense training can help children develop street awareness. They learn to recognize potentially dangerous situations and avoid them whenever possible.
6. Teamwork: Some self-defense programs include partner drills and other exercises that require children to work together. This can help them develop teamwork skills and learn to rely on others.
7. Respect for Others: Self-defense training can teach children to respect others, even when they disagree with them. They learn to control their emotions and avoid escalating conflicts unnecessarily.
Overall, self-defense training can be a valuable tool for children, providing them with physical and mental benefits that can last a lifetime.
Potential Risks of Children’s Self Defense
Teaching children self-defense can be a double-edged sword. While it can help them protect themselves from physical harm, there are also potential risks that parents and teachers should consider. One of the most significant risks is that children may overestimate their own strength and get themselves into dangerous situations. For example, a child could think nothing of walking through a seedy neighborhood just because they know a bit of karate.
Another potential risk is that children may become too aggressive and use their self-defense skills inappropriately. Parents and teachers need to emphasize that self-defense should only be used in situations where physical harm is imminent and as a last resort. Children need to understand that using physical force should always be a last resort.
Moreover, some children may become overconfident and think that they are invincible after learning self-defense. This can lead to them taking unnecessary risks and putting themselves in harm’s way. They might be overconfident and think they can fight back against a group of bullies, instead of running like they should. Remember, the best martial art in real life (or IRL as my kids say is track and field.
Parents and teachers need to emphasize that self-defense skills are just one tool in their arsenal and that they should always be aware of their surroundings and avoid dangerous situations whenever possible.
Finally, there is the risk that children may use their self-defense skills to bully others. This can happen if they feel that they are superior to others because of their skills. Parents and teachers need to emphasize that self-defense skills should never be used to intimidate or harm others and that they should always treat others with respect.
Overall, teaching children self-defense can be a valuable tool in helping them protect themselves from physical harm. However, parents and teachers need to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to mitigate them. By emphasizing the importance of using self-defense skills responsibly and as a last resort, children can learn how to protect themselves while also respecting the safety and well-being of others.
Choosing the Right Self Defense Program for Children
When it comes to choosing a self-defense program for children, there are several factors to consider. The right program can teach children essential skills to protect themselves and boost their confidence, but the wrong program can be ineffective or even harmful. Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting a self-defense program for your child:
Age and Developmental Level: Self-defense programs should be tailored to the age and developmental level of the child. Programs for younger children should focus on basic safety skills such as stranger danger and how to call for help. One of the instructors in my area holds a class that a friend went to, age 4, and it was mainly body awareness and spatial awareness games and drills.
Older children can learn more usual techniques such as blocking, striking, and grappling.
Sparring, or resistance training, can be introduced at ages as young as 5 (especially in something like jiujitsu). In fact, for self defense purposes finding a school that has live sparring and resistance training (not weights, but trying to make techniques work against resistance) is probably the single most important thing to look for.
Teaching Style: The teaching style of the program should be positive, respectful, and engaging. The instructor should be able to adapt to the needs of the children and create a safe and welcoming environment. Programs that are too aggressive or intimidating can be counterproductive and may even discourage children from participating.
Curriculum: The content of the program should be accurate, comprehensive, and appropriate for the ages and life situations of the students. The program should cover a range of scenarios including physical attacks, verbal harassment, and cyberbullying. It should also emphasize non-violent conflict resolution strategies and teach children to avoid dangerous situations when possible.
Reputation: It is important to research the reputation of the program and the instructor before enrolling your child. Look for reviews and testimonials from other parents and students.
Cost and Location: Finally, consider the cost and location of the program. Self-defense programs can vary widely in price, so it is important to find one that fits within your budget. Additionally, choose a program that is conveniently located and fits into your child’s schedule to ensure that they can attend regularly and get the most out of the program.
Overall, choosing the right self-defense program for children requires careful consideration of several factors. By selecting a program that is tailored to your child’s age and developmental level, has a positive teaching style, covers a comprehensive curriculum, has a good reputation, and is affordable and convenient, you can help your child develop the skills and confidence they need to stay safe.
Tips for Parents and Caregivers
Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children learn self-defense techniques. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when teaching self-defense to children:
1. Choose age-appropriate techniques: Children of different ages have different levels of physical development and cognitive abilities. It is important to choose self-defense techniques that are appropriate for the child’s age and physical abilities. Younger children may benefit from simple techniques like shouting for help, while older children may be able to learn more complex techniques like joint locks and throws. Practice makes perfect, but it must be against resisting opponents to be realistic.
2. Encourage self-confidence: Self-defense training can help children develop self-confidence and assertiveness. Parents and caregivers should encourage children to believe in their ability to protect themselves and to assert themselves in potentially dangerous situations.
3. Emphasize avoidance and prevention: While learning self-defense techniques can be empowering, it is important to emphasize the importance of avoidance and prevention. Parents and caregivers should teach children to be aware of their surroundings, to avoid potentially dangerous situations, and to seek help when necessary.
4. Practice regularly: Like any skill, self-defense techniques require practice to become effective. Parents and caregivers should encourage children to practice self-defense techniques regularly, both in structured classes and in everyday situations.
5. Seek professional instruction: While parents and caregivers can teach basic self-defense techniques to children, it is important to seek professional instruction from a qualified instructor. A qualified instructor can help ensure that children learn techniques that are safe and effective, and can provide guidance on how to practice and apply these techniques in real-world situations.
By following these tips, parents and caregivers can help children develop the skills and confidence needed to protect themselves in potentially dangerous situations.