BUILDING
GIRL'S CONFIDENCE WITH SELF-DEFENSE
By Aaron
L. Banks, Assistant Professor in the Health & Exercise Science Department at Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, Minnesota
INTRODUCTION
The incorporation of a self-defense
unit of study within secondary physical
education programs is becoming commonplace
in 21st century curricula. We are living
in a world where the threat of crime
to one’s self, belongings, or
home is not only perceived as extremely
high, but very real. It has been estimated
that five out of six North Americans
will be the victims of violent crime,
either completed or attempted, at least
once in their lifetime. This is particularly
concerning to youth, as teens and young
adults experience the highest rates
of crime as reported by the United State
government. In response, parents, administrators,
teachers, and even students are interested
in learning more about basic strategies
for self-defense. Taught within a physical
education program, these lifetime skills
are easily transferable from the gymnasium
to the streets.
Self-defense instruction provides
participants with a fun and unique experience.
Throughout this unit of study, students
are able to be physically active, all
the while discussing and examining various
issues relevant to the world in which
they live. It is this combination of
physical skill and cognitive knowledge
that provides participants with the
confidence necessary to live and exist
safely in the 21st century world.
DEFINING SELF-DEFENSE
Modern self-defense is described as
a mixture of basic protection skills
and common sense. Simple physical skills
are employed that can be learned in
a short time frame and effectively executed
by any individual. These skills often
are rooted in traditional martial art
formats. In addition to physical skill
development, modern self-defense curricula
educate students with awareness and
prevention tactics. In other words,
the goal of self-defense education is
to help students make good choices,
recognize potentially dangerous situations,
and take action to prevent a physical
altercation.
The necessity for personal protection
is a basic human need. When individuals
feel specifically threatened or generally
uncomfortable, the resulting anxiety
decreases the opportunity for personal
development. This concept is theoretically
supported by Maslow’s
theory of human motivation, also
known as the ‘Hierarchy of Needs.'
As Maslow’s ‘Hierarchy of
Needs’ indicates, an individual
cannot fully self-actualize until his/her
basic needs are met, including personal
safety and security. It is vital that
human beings exist in an orderly world
where injustice is addressed, and a
sense of security radiates.
In modern times, American’s
tend to worry about their safety. This
is particularly true for girls and young
women, as females exist in a society
where vigilant attention to one’s
environment and the actions of others
is a daily reality. It has been estimated
that more than one-third of Americans
chronically worry that they will be
assaulted at any given time. Through
participation in a self-defense unit
of instruction, females generate knowledge
and develop skills related to personal
preservation that allow an individual
to live a confident and purpose-driven
life.
WHAT EVERY YOUNG WOMAN SHOULD
KNOW
Self-defense education should introduce
young women to relevant knowledge, information,
and statistics within a comfortable
setting. Often times the best self-defense
is not the use of physical skills, but
the application of knowledge to avoid
or deflate dangerous situations. By
teaching general awareness concepts,
educators are able to help students
not doubt their intuitive messages,
hesitate, or freeze in the event of
an impending assault. The realization
that crime can and does happen, even
in the most remote of areas, should
be a basic tenet of all self-defense
instructional units. Important topics
of concern for today’s young women
that could be addressed within the gymnasium
include:
- Know the Facts
– Understanding who your attacker
is likely to be decreases one’s
chance of becoming a victim. Most
American’s possess a fear that
the unknown stranger will be their
random attacker. Although this may
be true for men, it is not the case
for women. Statistically speaking,
males are more likely to be victimized
by a stranger, while females tend
to be victimized by a friend, relative,
or intimate partner. Furthermore,
it is important that women realize
their assailant will most likely be
a man. Many studies have revealed
the only reliable variable to aid
in the identification of a potential
criminal is that of gender.
- Dating
Violence – Approximately
1 in 3 teenagers or young women have
experienced violence in a dating relationship.
Violence is often used to maintain
power and control over another individual.
Early warning signs indicating potential
abuse include jealousy, controlling
behavior, unpredictable mood swings,
the use of alcohol or drugs, intense
anger, a belief in rigid sex roles,
or verbal and emotional abuse.
-
Sexual Assault and Date Rape
– Another serious issue facing
young women is that of sexual assault
and date rape. By the time females
graduate from college, it has been
estimated that 25% will have been
the victims of a sexual assault. Worse
yet is that fact that nearly 90% of
sexual assaults are committed by someone
known to the victim. Knowledge of
the dating violence warning signs,
amongst others, is important as early
action may stop an impending sexual
assault.
-
Domestic Violence –
According to the National Coalition
Against Domestic Violence, over 50
% of American women will experience
physical violence in an intimate relationship
within their lifetime. Domestic abuse
is a serious issue challenging the
emotional and physical health of women.
-
Alcohol and Drug Use –
The use of alcohol and recreational
drugs is common amongst today’s
teenagers. These types of drugs tend
to decrease one’s inhibitions
and increase risk taking, aggression,
and controlling behaviors. It has
been estimated that 80% of men and
70% of women had been drinking when
a sexual assault occurred.
GENERAL SELF-DEFENSE TIPS
As previously mentioned, the threat
of becoming a victim is always present
in modern society. Even when an individual
has utilized general awareness and prevention
strategies in their daily life, any
situation could escalate to one of physical
violence. In the following Self-Defense
Escape Skills Link (Word
'07 ) (Word
'97-'03) (PDF
document), many physical skills
are presented that effectively target
vulnerable body parts in order to incapacitate
an aggressor. Once the threat is lessened,
the immediate goal is to escape from
the present danger and find safety in
a secure environment. Prior to discussing
these techniques, however, it is important
that students comprehend general knowledge
related to the utilization of physical
skills. The following information will
aid in this endeavor:
- Basic Elements
– Effective self-defense includes
four basic elements, including accurate
strikes, forceful blows, speed associated
with timing, and an active follow-through.
-
Accurate Strikes –
It is important that your strike
actually hit the intended target.
Often times you will only have
one opportunity to strike a specific
body target. If the target is
missed, the situation could escalate
to a higher degree of severity
as the assailant becomes enraged.
Therefore, accuracy is imperative.
-
Forceful Blows –
Self-defense curricula includes
physical skills that can be utilized
by anyone, regardless of their
physical strength, size, or limitations.
The more physically strong an
individual is, the more force
he/she can generate. Nevertheless,
an all-out effort combined with
accuracy can yield devastatingly
positive results. When practicing
skills and refining technique,
it is important that students
engage with a full effort. Although
progression from slow, medium,
to fast is appropriate and recommended,
students must be encouraged to
practice at full pace in order
to develop appropriate motor patterns.
-
Speed and Timing –
In any altercation there is typically
a “window of opportunity”
that presents. This would be defined
as the opportune time to employ
a physical technique to immobilize
an assailant. Since speed is an
element of good timing, it is
vital that the individual wait
for the appropriate moment to
employ an accurate and forceful
strike. Should the individual
be gripped by fear and unable
to physically respond, simply
wait. Re-establish your breathing
pattern, attain proper body posture,
and act when you are able.
-
Active Follow-Through
– When attempting to incapacitate
an assailant, it is crucial that
the individual follow-through
with active strikes and blows.
An active follow-through will
increase the force of the blow
and is more likely to yield the
intended result; incapacitation
of the perpetrator. To reiterate,
your goal is to avoid and de-escalate
a situation from becoming physically
violent. However, if you must
engage in physical contact, do
so with full effort. Students
should be reminded to follow-through
whenever practicing their basic
skills.
-
Make Some Noise! –
A very effective strategy to utilize
prior to and during an assault situation
is to make as much noise as possible.
Yelling and screaming brings unwanted
attention to an assailant. Furthermore,
the assailant typically chose the
victim because he/she assumed this
individual would not provide any resistance
to their advances. Making noise has
been shown effective in countless
attack situations, as even the most
determined assailants become unnerved.
Specific words that individuals should
say are “no,”“fire,”
and “hey.” The word “no”
is particularly effective. The use
of the word “help” is
discouraged by most self-defense educators,
as onlookers either tend not to want
to get involved or assume others will
come to the aid of the victim. This
phenomenon, known as bystander
effect, has been well researched
and replicated within the field of
social psychology.
- Vulnerable
Body Parts – There
are seven vulnerable areas that exist
upon the human body that may be effectively
exploited to incapacitate an individual.
These areas include the eyes, nose,
chin, throat, solar plexus, groin,
and knees. The physical skills contained
within the Self-Defense
Escape Skills Link (Word
'07 ) (Word
'97-'03) (PDF
document) target these seven areas
of vulnerability, in addition to other
useful tips. When appropriate accuracy,
speed, force, and follow-through are
initiated, even the most petite of
individuals may successfully incapacitate
their aggressor.
-
Know Your Rights –
It is important that young women know
and understand their legal rights
and responsibilities regarding the
use of force for personal protection.
If she is in a life-threatening situation,
this individual has the right to use
physical force to keep an aggressor
at bay or to disable the attacker.
Once the threat posed by the attacker
has been minimized, the victim should
cease the use of force, remove oneself
from the situation, and call police
for help. It is not within an individual’s
rights to “teach” the
assailant “a lesson” by
continuing to physically strike the
attacker once incapacitated. Remember,
the ultimate goal is to prevent and
avoid a physical altercation, but
if the situation escalates to the
point that one’s safety and
life is threatened, the individual
should not hesitate to take immediate
and decisive action.
-
Belief in Yourself and Never Give
Up – Once the physical
altercation has begun, the victim
is fighting for her life. Strike as
often, and as viciously as possible
to disable the aggressor. It only
takes a few seconds to disable an
individual in an assault situation,
whether it be the victim or aggressor.
Therefore, it is important that students
not only focus on technical accuracy,
force, and follow-through in skill
practice, but become proficient with
the deliverance of successive blows.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER!
There are many reasons why predators
choose their victims. Whatever their
motive, research indicates that most
assault situations are thwarted when
the victim simply takes one or two actions,
such as communicating with a direct,
clear voice and establishing a powerful
body position. By discussing relevant
awareness information, preventive strategies,
and practicing appropriate skill techniques,
young women are able to develop an “action
plan” that will decrease their
fear and increase their safety.
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