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Hi all,
I'm Chris Good, a freelance journalist. I'm doing a piece for FQ magazine that explores the ethics and responsibilities related to teaching our children how to fight -with martial arts or boxing. The idea is for the piece to be unbiased, but have within it all sides of the argument. I guess for many, the subject is most about the safety of their child -they want the child to be as safe as possible when dad is not around! Self-defence seems the obvious choice, although, many have thoughts against it.
Do you think it's right?
Do you think it's wrong?
and -of course- WHY?
Please consider some of the following;
Shouldn't we teach our children to defend themselves? There are bullies out there?
Are we equipping our children to be bullies?
If a child knows how to block a punch and break an arm (which is the first thing I learned at Jiu Jitsu at the age of 15, is he controlled enough (given a young person's susceptibility to peer pressure and actions of social redemption) to be responsible with the power and strength he has? Will he ONLY use reasonable force, and therefore be innocent in the eyes of the law? Are we irresponsible for putting them in this position of responsiblity?
Or, is it great for building confidence and character?
Does the fact that it's an appealing and attractive form of exercise outweigh the responsibilities of having such power and strength?
If you would like to take part, please email me, with some of your thoughts and a contact number. It's an exciting article to be part of, and I'm sure will help many dad's figure this issue out. I'm a dad myself, with mixed thoughts, but I'm now (after some research) much clearer on my personal view. I hope the article is as helpful to others!
Many thanks,
Chris
@yahoo.co.uk">goodbyname@yahoo.co.uk
www.chrisgoodfreelance.110mb.com
Some good questions there Chris - so chaps what do we think? Are we teaching our kids to be bullies or is this simply basic guy stuff about knowing how to handle ourselves? 😉
If you want to be involved with the article please contact Chris direct.
I am not particually for or against - I probably have more issue with some of the symbolism than the actual violence.
I accept that we will have violence and soliders in the world, and therefore teaching self defence is a "practical" (but hopefully never used) skill.
However, I do know a number of parents that do the marshall arts with their kids because they can all do classes at the same time, but for different skill levels. This opens up a way to be with all your kids - and share an experience with them, where as not so many sports allow you each to progress as individuals. Often the progression through belts is based on practice, not inherent hand-eye coordination.
We are planning to send our boy, he is soon to be 5 yrs old, to karate classes. Our main aims are to channel his energy and give him confidence. I suspose that part of it is that we know he will be able to defend himself if he needs to, but that is ancillary to the main aim.
He has recently got into power rangers and runs around the house, chopping and kicking, with the voice overs to match (hiyya, schwing, thawck, etc). Quite funny to watch most of the time. Now he is into this type of role play, rather than posting letters or putting out fires in the way of Pat and Sam, I think it would be good for him.
Would this turn him into a bully, very unlikely, as I believe if you are the bully type you do not need combat sports to push you in that direction.
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