why are there few girls that do martial arts?

Answer 1

Even in this day and age, martial arts is considered more of a "boy sport" just like ballet is still considered something mostly for girls. I don't think it matters either way, both teach balance, control, and discipline.

Answer 2

I have to agree with most here-physical contact type sports like wrestling, boxing, martial arts that are male dominated tend to be more than or different than what many women want. Not only that society puts a lot of pressure on them to act, behave, and carry themselves in a way that for many runs contrary to what these sports represents to them in their minds. In some ways it is unfortunate I think as martial arts really is a good confidence, self esteem, and character builder and so many more people, not just women, would benefit from it in greater numbers. Someone once told me that the people that really need martial arts are not the tough people that are physically fit and strong-most of them will be OK. Rather it is the people that are weak, lack confidence and self esteem that need it the most and that it will do the most for. I have to agree with that person as well.

Answer 3

I'm a girl and I practice TaeKwonDo. I don't think practicing martial arts affects my femininity. I'm a woman no matter what clothes I wear or what I'm doing. I don't think one thing has to do with the other.

To answer your question... there are lots of girls who practice martial arts. Maybe there are more of them on certain types of martial arts. I think there are plenty of girls who are athlethes. The fact that perhaps there aren't many in your class does not mean there aren't girls practicing martial arts in the world.

Answer 4

I would have to agree that most girls feel that it will threaten their femininity, or they're afraid they're going to get hurt. I don't think men's abundance of testosterone has much to do with it -- remember: its the size of the fight in the dog, not the size of the dog that matters. I get pretty fired up during training and for a few hours afterwards...

I'm a girly-girl, and have done girly-girl things all my life (I was originally a piano major), but now I train in martial arts twice a week. Its a blast. And yes, you'll get hurt in some shape or form at some time. I love it when I get bruised from training; when I go to work with purple cut-up knuckles or scabbed up elbows. I don't even mind wearing skirts when my legs are bruised... I think of them as souvenirs. Some people get tattoos -- I get bruises from training. I don't let it detract from my being a girly-girl. It's just another facet of my personality. :-)

Answer 5

Don't mention this to my trainer....and her 3 martial arts classes that consist primarily of women?

I think there are 2 schools of thought here?

There are some men who are intimidated by women who could kick their butts! Especially if they get too aggressive with their fingers or too vocal.

And....

There are some women who feel that by being too good in martial arts could jeopardize their femininity! Of course that's crazy because some men find that "masculine/aggressive trait" in a woman rather fascinating. Or at least CHALLENGING!

Answer 6

I am a 13 year old girl who does martial arts. I don't know... maybe they don't think it's girly to be able to defend themselves? Maybe it doesn't interest them? Maybe they like hair and nails better? I personally am very girly and I do dance and theater as well but I love Tae Kwon Do.

Answer 7

I think it's because there are so many girly girls, that they never get into big physical fights. Their fights are merely exchanges of nasty words. Boys on the other hands, get in physical fights all the time. So a lot of them want to be a better fighter, because they want to defeat the other guy and become "cool"!

Hope I helped!

Answer 8

Well I'm doing Tae Kwon Do and I'm a woman. I believe that there isn't enough promotion that woman can do it to. Some woman are less inclined because they don't want to get hurt.

I think that they need to promote the fitness side to it not the fighting side (although its awesome). As I believe they would be more interested.

Answer 9

It's a societal thing. I've studied (and taught) for 14 years and have the rank of 2Dan. My instructor (a female) stays a step ahead me at 3Dan and several of the women we spare with are 3Dan and two are 4Dan.

My classes (7 years to 18 years) are a good mix of genders at the younger ages, but as they get higher in rank and older, more of the girls drop out because the boys they like are intimidated by their power. When women get married and pregnant, they tend to drop out because they fall behind during the pregnancy and aren't ready to go back right away and then slowly they get farther away because they are busy raising the baby and often have another on the way. I've had 3 women friends who dropped out after getting their brown belts because of raising their family.

You're right, there needs to be more promotion of women in the sport and I think as more of us start to attain higher ranks, there will be more girls interested in pursuing higher belts.

Personally, I was inspired to work hard for my black belt when on of the women in my class got her black belt at 60. Then I had to get my 2 degree because she got her 2Dan for her 65th b-day! How do you argue with that?

Answer 10

Because Chuck Norris is male and has a monopoly on the practicing of it...