Devil's Advocate - Martial Arts is too violent for children

There are many different styles of martial arts originating from many different countries. I practice Taekwondo, a Korean Martial Art. Taekwondo was originally created for combat training.  At the 2000 Summer Olympics, Taekwondo was added as a sport event.

There are other styles that are not considered a sport, like Krav Maga. Krav Maga is used by Israeli security forces and special police. "It emphasizes devastating attacks to the opponent’s vital areas, such as the groin and eyes, and the use of any available objects as weapons." It's the perfect style for quick defense and street fighting.

When you think of Martial Arts, you might think of men fighting in cages. That style is mixed Martial Arts (MMA) which is a combat fighting sport, generally taking place in a cage, and combines many different forms of Martial Arts. The practioner mixes different styles of Martial Arts, so he may use the lethal kicks of Taekwondo and the arm grappling techniques of Judo.

In the cage, men fight until one is either knocked out or taps out, because he cannot withstand the pain he is subjected to. Viewers have mixed reactions to what is occurring in the cage, some enjoy it and some find it completely violent.  Men are covered in bruises and blood and some come out with serious injuries. 

Many people think that Martial Arts will make children and people more aggressive, gives children the wrong message that fighting is okay, and gives them the skills to fight and injure others.

Children mimic what they see, as they are very impressionable, and if they see violence they will act out on it. If a child asks to practice Martial Arts, parents need to ask their child why.

We live in a society where violence surrounds us. The Federal Bureau of Investigations U.S Uniform Crime Report indicates that in 2011 a violent crime occurred every 26.2 seconds. One murder occurred every 36 minutes and a forcible rape ever 6.3 minutes.

And according to the Bureau of Justice statistics; 46% of males and 26% of females reported they had been in physical fights.

With violence in the news and on TV; do we want people and children entering a sport where they are being taught how to use their hands and legs as weapons?

"The essential damage to people in the community being influenced to believe that violence against women is acceptable and actually used by people who they are coming to admire," said Deborah Tucker, executive director of the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence. 

"The influence particularly on young men is something we are concerned about. We do not want to see any messages to young boys and young men that encourage sexual assault or violence against a dating or marital partner."

Senator Liz Kreuger of New York said she has proposed a two-year moratorium on mixed martial arts that would allow studies to investigate the long term health and psychological effects on the fighters. 

I teach Taekwondo to children ages 5-9. There is a split; half entered because their parents thought it would build their self-esteem, confidence and would be a good sport. The other half entered because the child wanted to, for various reasons. Some children think its "cool" or do it because they saw a movie like "Karate Kid". 

It's important for parents to find an Instructor and a school that teaches the virtues of Martial Arts. At my school we train students and emphasize what our school stands for: Courtesy, Respect, Self-Control, and Determination. Without teaching them the fundamentals of self-control and respect, students could use the techniques taught to them to inflict harm on to others.