Martial Arts and Kids a good idea?

Question

OK me and my wife are having a serious argument about our 7 year old daughter. She has been going to gymnastics at the local Y for a couple of years but she told me recently she would rather take the martial arts class they offer there. The class is a good mixture of both boys and girls and the childrens classes are seperate from the adult classes. The instructor is a young ldy about 25 who is a 3rd degree Black Belt ans sem to really enjoy working with the kids. She stresses that what they are taught is only to be used for self defence, and she talks to them about setting goals, self disipline. I think this would be good for my daughter but her mother doesn't agree she says it's just teaching them to fight period!! is there anyone out there that can give her some good examples of why she should change her mind?
She says she will go by the majority rulling as to wether or not to let our girl take the classes.

Answer 1

Hi Flyfisher,

Learning martial arts is like taking a flu inoculation. It is not about just teaching them to catch the flu period. (worded as your wife's expression about just teaching them to fight period), it is taken to provide a strong defense against the flu.

Martial arts is not about fighting, it is actually about not fighting, as when others know your daughter is a black belt in Tai Kwon Do (Korean Karate) I can assure you, they will treat her with respect.

A dose of hard core reality, ask your wife how many girls knowing martial arts, could have defended themselves when attacked and maybe raped, but in not knowing self defense, they were helpless, and at the mercy of the attacker, because they did not know how to defend themselves, much like the person who catches the flue because they had no inoculation.

Martial arts builds character, self confidence, as well as learning discipline and providing the ability to defend themselves, should the need arise.

I would strongly suggest you convince your wife to go to the Y and talk with the Lady instructor before making a final decision.

Please remind your wife that people do not live to regret what they did, . . . . . . . .they live to regret what they failed to do.

P.S. Note for Marty K. It is blatantly obvious you know not of what you speak, . . . . . . . .not to mention your political bias.

Darryl S.

Answer 2

I think that your heart is in the right place, but I can see this backfiring. Either parents are going to go nuts having to sew all of these patches on or they'll go the lazy route and use cheap iron on stuff that never works and the kids uniforms look like crap. Then, of course, you are running the risk of parents asking, "Why did Susie get a 'great stance' patch and my Johnny didn't because Johnny's front stance is so much better...?" You may also start to get a McDojo reputation if people interpret this as giving the kid some little token reward to keep him and his parents happy enough to keep writing the checks. Especially if you're taking students as young as 3! What I do is tell my kids when they are doing well loud enough for everyone (including parents in the waiting area) to hear. That usually gets the others trying harder so I'll acknowledge them as well. I also make a point to talk to the parents and let them know if their kid did something really well that day. That seems to motivate them just as well as a patch but without the hassle or expense. But, it may work for you and you are trying so Good Luck!

Answer 3

100% let her take the classes, I taught tae kwon do at a y program for almost 10 years. the kids learned self respect balance co-ordination and so many things I can't list them all, some of the kids I taugh now have schools of thier own. And to the gentleman who said that a girl or woman can't handle a ful lgrown man that pure BS I know at least half a dozen girls/women who could kick a guys butt in a second. Regarless have your wife go and watch the class with your daughter chances are she will change her mind and probably be interested in learning herself. One of my black belt instructors started like that just as a TKD mom then got into the class and kept going.

Answer 4

I'll give you my honest opinion, which liberals won't like.

It's the best idea for a boy, if you find a school that specializes in real street defense as opposed to rituals, the sport aspect of martial arts and ballet-like routines. It will help him to become manly and learn fighting skills that are helpful to a man. It will give him abounding confidence and he'll be able to walk tall.

For a girl, it's not going to do a whole big lot of good, and they're not going to be able fight men like Xena the warrior princess and they tend to get in the way, or else set them up in a separate class where they could fight other women, if that's really their thing.

Now, I've said this according to my right of Freedom of Speech.

Answer 5

Martial arts for kids are great for many reasons...

We live in a world with increasing problems and kids need to be able to protect themselves...

Martial arts aren't for fighting, but to give the child a chance to protect themselves... Most martial arts promote defence, and show that you can have the skills without having to use them offensively...

Also, your child stays fit and healthy burning calories as they train and workout... They are out there keeping fit instead of in the fast food place or on the couch eating junk food and becoming obese..

It teaches respect, discipline and determination... They have something to aim for as they go through the belts...

Why would you want to deny your child the chance to be a happier, healthier, fitter, safer member of society???

I have a 4 year old who does basic martial arts and he loves it... He has learned some kicks and punches, but mostly blocks and loves showing off...

Answer 6

Yes.........do put your daughter in Martial Arts.... Tae Kwon do is fantastic.... regardless of style.... martial arts is wonderful for children....it is based on very strict guidlines of self discipline, self respect, as well as respect for others. It is not about fighting, not at all. It is a structured art form. Your daughter will not walk around thinking she can punch or kick people. That's not what is taught. Also it is wonderful for her coordination, and physical exercise as well. I believe that your wife will be very happy with the decision to switch her over. It will be very rewarding for the whole family.

Answer 7

i took it from age 6 to 12 and it taught me alot of good. I am a guy but there were plenty of girls in the class and if they got half out of the classes that i did let her go. now just do you're homework on the place you send her. some places only want you're money and will move her along to fast (charge for new belt more classes and so on). The lady sounds great but just ask around. Slow and stedy will be good for any child boy or girl. I hope she like the classes.

Answer 8

Let her go to the class. If she has found an exercise that she enjoys then this is beneficial to her. The training and having to sit tests will teach her self discipline.
It's not "teaching her to fight". It's teaching her a new sport that will keep her fit and that she enjoys. If she's good might take her round the world in competitions. She might be a natural and you might have a potential future Olypmic champion in your household.

Answer 9

Does her mother not want her to be able to defend herself and have confidence and pride in herself. Martial arts fosters respect for authority, self respect, self discipline, as well as incredible strngth and cardio training., LET HER GO, at least it gives her an advantage in that dark alley way! Mom should go with her to, and make it a family thing, girls night instead of discouraging her. She will then be able to see what martial arts are all about

Answer 10

The patience & disipline she will learn will teach her that just because she can open up a can of whoop a** doesn't mean she should.The martial arts program is wonderful,& I wish more parents would choose to put their children in it.Maybe the behavior of children these days would improve.It seems like it would have to being that their self esteem would improve greatly and that wouldn't constantly feel that they had to prove themselves to anyone.