What problems do you think women face in the martial arts?
That’s a good question and from what I have observed there are several which an instructor can do some things to help resolve if they are aware of them. I was just having the conversation with one of my tween female students the other day that was somewhat tentative in her approach to sparring. I was telling her that in martial arts sometimes aggressive action is needed and called for and it is not un-lady like to be aggressive when the situation calls for it like during sparring or sometimes during a street situation and that is one of the reasons why we practice some of the things we do is to be better capable of defending ourselves. It was possible for her to be aggressive in her approach to things when needed and yet still be and carry herself like a young lady otherwise. Sometimes women think a loud Kai, aggressive action, sweating from a hard workout are things that only males should do and so they don’t push themselves to that point.
Another problem they sometimes face is a hostile male environment or hostility from male students who are threatened by them or bully them or is sexist in nature. A good instructor will provide a good, healthy environment for ALL his students so that they can more easily focus on training and studying martial arts. Most but not all instructors go some distance now to do this but not all do or care to. Those that don’t usually don’t keep female students very long.
Along with all this some instructors short change their female students and give male students more time and attention and have a lower standard for a female student. This is a huge mistake along with some of these other things that I have mentioned. Women tend to talk and trade experiences with their female friends and a school or studio that has not been good towards them will have a lot of people telling others not to go to a particular school for some of the reasons I mention. Martial arts has come a long way from when I started my training in it and now equipment manufacturers even make and market martial arts items specifically for and towards women and with the female martial artist in mind.
DibDesu
Most women are less aggressive, No balls though is a huge advantage in the street though. But u knoooow women are smaller and delicate. Martial arts will harden up anyone though if there dedicated
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Sh** Talk Express
I don’t think they have any problems, that men don’t have, but this being in martial arts. I think fighting in the real world, i think strength plays an issue. Men are just built stronger than women, so if a man has a chance, he can easily overwhelm a woman, and then their martial arts stands no chance.
sad but true
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Rob B
A lot of sexism still exists in the martial arts. As my sensei noted, "When have you ever seen a female martial artist on a trophy?"
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smokey
people like the guy who answered this question first is their biggest obstacle.
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pugpaws2
Women face several problems.
* Stupid men that think that women can’t be effective
* A lack of confidence in themselves in some cases
* A mistaken belief that just taking a class and training makes them safe. NOTE: many men fall into the same mindset.
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Martial arts training and research since 1967.
Teaching martial arts since 1973.
John
That’s a good question and from what I have observed there are several which an instructor can do some things to help resolve if they are aware of them. I was just having the conversation with one of my tween female students the other day that was somewhat tentative in her approach to sparring. I was telling her that in martial arts sometimes aggressive action is needed and called for and it is not un-lady like to be aggressive when the situation calls for it like during sparring or sometimes during a street situation and that is one of the reasons why we practice some of the things we do is to be better capable of defending ourselves. It was possible for her to be aggressive in her approach to things when needed and yet still be and carry herself like a young lady otherwise. Sometimes women think a loud Kai, aggressive action, sweating from a hard workout are things that only males should do and so they don’t push themselves to that point.
Another problem they sometimes face is a hostile male environment or hostility from male students who are threatened by them or bully them or is sexist in nature. A good instructor will provide a good, healthy environment for ALL his students so that they can more easily focus on training and studying martial arts. Most but not all instructors go some distance now to do this but not all do or care to. Those that don’t usually don’t keep female students very long.
Along with all this some instructors short change their female students and give male students more time and attention and have a lower standard for a female student. This is a huge mistake along with some of these other things that I have mentioned. Women tend to talk and trade experiences with their female friends and a school or studio that has not been good towards them will have a lot of people telling others not to go to a particular school for some of the reasons I mention. Martial arts has come a long way from when I started my training in it and now equipment manufacturers even make and market martial arts items specifically for and towards women and with the female martial artist in mind.
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Kat
The same problems men do.
Women as a group do not face different problems than men do, some women may have a lack of self confidence or the thought that the classes will make them safe from any attackers they may run into, however many males starting martial arts are the same.
And to Rob B, I personally own a few trophies with female figures on them and have seen several more.
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Joni
Depends on the martial art sometimes. It’s bull to say that women can throw a man bigger than her just as easily as a guy could, just because of biological differences. But when it comes to flexibility, remembering katas, often speed, they have the upper hand. Sometimes, women may be less intimidating in sparring, but I’m not ashamed to say that there are some women that have kicked my butt! It’s difficult to generalise, and really, I just shouldn’t, because there is such a variety of talented martial artists out there, both men, and women.
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No name.
Just men really, not all by some. By that I mean discrimination / sexism.
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DEREK E
I think that many women face confidence problems. This is related to the perception that size and strength are necessary to effectively perform the techniques that they are taught. Next hurdle that they have to overcome is fear based in being afraid of hurting someone else. These problems are all mental- nothing more but many men and women let themselves be defeated by this little mental stuff and are affected by it to the point that many quit. There is nothing that says that a woman can not be an effective martial artist. I should know because I train with a former world champion and although she is retired she still kicks me into shape when I slack.
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23+ years in the martial arts
Desk3Bound
A women’s problem in any martial art is related directly to her gender: emotional instability; physical weakness; and lack of body mass and size.
Aikido, jiu-jitsu, and weaponry (bow & arrow, knife, and halberd) are perfect martial arts for any women. Not competitive Judo or boxing or wrestling.
Anything else is sheer politically correct nonsense.
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JKD Man
http://apersonaldefense.weebly.com/personal-defense-blog.html
I think the single biggest problem is unrealistic expectations. If you think you will be "attacked" by someone grabbing your wrist and waiting for you to do your moves, you are in for a surprise.
If you think you are going to learn secret techniques to defeat someone 3-5 times stronger than you, you are in real trouble.
You must always train to recognize and avoid danger first, and then to neutralize situations where the aggressor is unbelievably strong and aggressive. Then you will have the right mindset.
I would bet $10,000 that you can not find a traditional martial arts school within 100 miles of your house that does this training. You will find a load of schools that SAY they do, but they offer no more than lip service. Find out what the actual training methods are. I think you’ll be surprised.
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