Martial Arts Empower Children Against Predators and Bullies
You want to protect your child as much as possible from the cruelties of the world, but unfortunately, you have many problems that can arise. In fact, according to the National Association of School Psychologists, 3.2 million students suffer from bullying every year. The problem exacerbates itself in the middle grades where about 90 percent of the fourth through eighth-grade students have reported being the victim of bullying.
What Martial Arts Can Teach
Martial Arts can educate kids on how to take a stand against their bullies. In fact, the simple act of training in the martial arts can help children learn confidence that will decrease their chances of being the bullied students. Martial arts has one of the best chances of eradicating bullying because once a bully realizes they can't bully a student, they will usually look for an easier target. Teaching children how to avoid becoming a target and how to assertively put themselves in a better place are all important tasks.
Teaching Families the Principles
Children need to know how to identify and protect themselves from potential harm. Research from Steinger, Iscoe & Greene indicates that, “Over 66% of child sexual assaults occur when the victim is between the ages of 12 and 17.” Some of the most important values taught to families from this program include:
Awareness: Teach your child how to spot predator behavior.
Avoidance: Learn of the realistic ways to keep from becoming a target of bullying.
Assertiveness: Using words as a way to stop bullies in their tracks.
You can't overstate the necessity of teaching children self-defense. In fact, an estimated 4,400 people die every year because of bullying, and teaching your children how to protect themselves is one of the most important things that you can do.
Mental Lessons of the Dojang
While the physical lessons that the martial arts teach you can be valuable, the mental lessons you are taught have an equal level of value. Some of the chief lessons that you will learn as a martial artist include:
Focus
Discipline
Confidence
Effort
Respect
Goal setting
No matter how tough you become in the martial arts or how well you excel at it, you will always find people who can beat you. You have to learn your limits as well as respect the boundaries of others. This brings your child to a level of humbleness. We have to see bullies as what they are. They are cowardly creatures who are like balloons filled up with air, but they have nothing in them. If your child is experiencing trouble at school, please reach out so we can help.
