Can Learning Martial Arts Stop Bullying?
Bullying is so frequent in the nation’s schools and neighborhoods that it is almost an epidemic. It isn’t easy to discover whether your child is being bullied because they are usually too frightened to talk. Parents need to look for signs such as falling grades, mysterious bruises, depression and a sudden desire to avoid school.
How Can I Stop My Kid From Being Bullied?
Many parents don’t realize that martial arts training can prevent bullying. They assume that it is a recourse to violence and don’t want their child involved. Quite why they prefer their child to continue being the victim is peculiar but they need to understand that martial arts training can prevent bullying from even starting thus avoiding violent confrontation.
1. Strong Mentality
In order to bullying to occur, there needs to be a bully, a target and a situation. In the vast majority of cases, the target sends out a body language signal that suggests they are easy to intimidate or weak. The simple act of being more confident can reduce the level of attention your child gets from bullies. Learning martial arts imbues children with that sense of confidence because they realize it is possible for them to defend themselves if the need arises.
2. Escalation Prevention
It is necessary for your child to prevent the situation from escalating and although walking away is encouraged, action may need to be taken if the bully follows your child. If the bully persists in harassing your child, he will need to stand his ground or else he is simply giving the bully a passive target. Martial arts training helps your child gain the inner strength to stand firm and look his bully in the eyes. Believe it or not, the act of standing firm can be enough to send the bully packing as most bullies are cowards and not interested in a target that is willing to fight back.
3. Taking Action
Despite teaching self defense skills, martial arts is not about violence, it is about prevention of an altercation but occasionally, it will be necessary to respond physically. Martial arts can help your child defeat a bully much bigger than him through speed, power, fitness and technique. Most untrained participants are exhausted after a few seconds of physical confrontation but those with martial arts training will have ample stamina to withstand any assault. Once your child has successfully defeated the bully or prevented the attack, it is unlikely that he will be the target again. If he is, at least he has the confidence to respond.
Ideally, your child will never need to use his physical martial arts skills as he will be able to prevent an altercation from starting. However, he has a ‘Plan B’ if he ever needs it and this will lead to your child being more confident, more energetic and happier.