Why aren't more women interested in self-defense/martial arts?

Answer 1

I think it's for different reasons depending on the person. Personally, I am interested in both.

I think alot of women just expect someone to be there to protect them or worse, they just don't think anything will ever happen to them.

Take my word for it!.. it is only a matter of time. Learn to hold your own before somebody gets a hold of you that shouldn't.

Answer 2

Self-defense? I don't know. While I'm not too sure about that guy/girl's claim that 1/3 of women have been/will be assaulted (I'd like to see the actual statistics from a government site), I believe that women still do need to be prepared for the possibility of rape/robbery/assault. This means knowing how to recognize dangerous situations, and removing yourself from that situation before it has a chance to turn ugly. If, for some reason, you failed that first part, then you wanna have a back-up plan-- namely, de-escalation and possibly physical self-defense.
For the issue of self-defense, I would strongly reccomend that they visit http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/.

Martial arts? Maybe because martial arts is seen as a male thing. Too much testosterone? :-)
(The immense popularity of MMA and sportsfighting certianly hasn't helped on this point.)
I dunno. While I think that male participants will probably always outnumber female participants in the martial arts, that shouldn't deter a woman from the martial arts if she's really interested. There are many excellent female martial artists who really enjoy what they do. I wouldn't go so far as to call myself "excellent" :o) but I do love the martial arts and I will probably continue to study them until the day I die.

*edit* lee49202, I stand corrected. Statistics are what they are, and additionally, it *is* a well-known fact that most rapes go unreported. :-(

For a bit more information on rape statistics, I would recommend this page... http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/rape_stats.html ...and maybe you'll see why I asked for a reference.
Additionally, for tips on how to make sure you don't end up as a statistic, check out this page. http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/profile.html. I suggest that you check out the other links on that page as well.

Answer 3

I think a lot has to do with family/job issues, but some also has to do with being misinformed on two subjects- the nature of self-defense, and working out.

There is a lot of information out there, and if you are to listen to the news, then you either side on "some creep is destined to attack me" (and you live in fear) or "it won't happen to me if I don't intiate anything." Both of course are ridiculous, and the truth lies somewhere in between. Women should be aware, not paranoid. There are so many charlatians and fly-by-night schools that sell seminars (that offer false sense of security) that claim to teach how to fully protect women and turn them into machines. No school can do that in one seminar. Real self defense must be continually practiced. It is a skill like CPR, you must review it often. I think most are concerned about having self-defense skills, but not enough to get proper training.

The other misinformation is that they think if they take martial arts, they will become buff and therefore ugly. You do not become more masculine or lose femininity by working out.

Answer 4

Actually most women are they just don't take the steps and follow through or pursue it. Many usually have more than enough to fill their day and a very high percentage of them also work and then go home and are mothers and wives. Another factor is that many are intimidated by the overabundance of males and male dominated classes that you usually find in martial arts schools and don't want to take months or years of classes just to be proficient in self-defense.

Answer 5

When I've talked with women who have never trained I've heard dozens on excuses and explanations: no money, no time, kids, husband or job are too time demanding, fear of getting hit or hurt, etc. Most of the time if you talk to them long enough they'll admit that they might like the idea of training, but they are betting that they'll never be in a situation that would require them to use the skills so why bother?

FBI stats indicate that 1 woman in 3 will be assaulted at least once in her life. They get these numbers from those who report the crimes against themselves. I'm betting that the real number is 1 of 2 if all victims were to step forward.

Answer 6

This is a wonderful question, and I'm very excited to see the answers. As a kickboxing (muay thai style) gal... martial arts is one of the most fun things I have ever done in my life.
However... I would never have been exposed to it had it not been offered at a gym. My impression/personal experience is that if more gyms would offer these types of workout classes, then more women would be exposed to, AND gain confidence in, the martial arts.
Research shows that women are more likely to join gyms (and gym classes) than men. In general, they are more motivated to exercise to lose weight, become more fit and healthy, perhaps increase their sense of attractiveness, and NOT to compete or learn a new skill or beat the crap out of someone. So, martial arts needs to market themselves in this manner in order to for women to "see" martial arts as a way to attain their goals.
At the gym that I attended, women (and men) joined boxing and kickboxing bag classes. However... many (most) women would not engage in sparring because it made them uncomfortable... the idea of hitting someone or being hit themselves was NOT their idea of fun. However, at least they were learning to punch and kick a bag.
After a couple of years, I joined a dojo to continue to learn technique. I know that gyms are not dojos... but they can at least serve a valuable function as a "bridge" to exposing women to the FUN of martial arts and exercise.

Answer 7

I have about 50 students in my schools, and about 30 of them are girls/women. I think that's because my wife is my 'right hand' in class and the women that come in see a strong woman doing martial arts and they decide it would be good for them as well. I know I have trained at least 20 women who have joined directly because they have seen my wife in class.

Answer 8

I really think it is a good idea for all women i am a 13 teen yr old FEMALE black belt :)

Answer 9

i luv martial arts! it is true that more women are entering classes.

Answer 10

It makes you sweat! haha and it might hurt :O

those are my reasons for not doing it, although I'd really like to, just haven't gotten around to getting passionate about it yet, haha

:)