Can Martial Arts Help with Bullying?
Can Martial Arts Help with Bullying?
One of the biggest reasons parents bring their child to us, Martial Arts Mesa, is because their child is either already being bullied or there have been issues of other kids being bullied and the parents are being proactive in getting their child martial arts lessons.
My Child is Currently Being Bullied
Let’s discuss the first category of a parent who brings their child to us. The ones who have a child being bullied already and they have no other place to turn. This is the first scenario we encounter at the dojo. Many times a mom is feeling hopeless and has exhausted all her resources to rectify the bullying issue her child is going through.
In this scenario, the child isn’t outwardly expressing any real issues and school work is not suffering but they are starting to get frustrated to the point that they want mom or dad to step. Sometimes the schools do absolutely nothing and now you are faced with having to take matters into your own hands. So you reach out to us.
The scenario I just described is a common one but now let’s talk about a different occurrence. Your child has been bullied for a while now, you had no idea but you noticed your child’s schoolwork is suffering, they don’t want to get up for school, they seem more reserved than normal, and they don’t want to be social.
This is a very dangerous situation to be in because it can lead to horrific endings which we all have read about in the newspapers.
Just know that it’s not too late to bring your child to us if this is the case. The dojo will eventually become your child’s sanctuary and a place to get guidance, skills, and support. It’s like a second family. So regardless of which scenario you find yourself in you’ll want to reach out to a martial arts school to see if their program has what you are looking for in a bully prevention program.
Do martial arts promote violence?
A common question we get is, “Well don’t martial arts promote violence?”. To the untrained eye, yes…it may seem that way but I assure you that at The Budo Shingikan Dojo, we have a Kids Martial Arts Success program built on character development, respect, discipline, and courtesy.
We teach our students that using their martial arts skills should be a last resort but IS very much an option when it comes to defending yourself. They learn the right way to defend themselves and others. They understand that nobody has the right to hit, abuse, or touch them. Their body is just that…their body, and nobody else’s.
How can martial arts help with bullying?
Whether a child is currently being bullied or you’re being proactive, they will learn how to carry themselves in such a way that they do not look like a victim. That’s what a bully wants, an easy target. Over time your child will build unshakable confidence through the drills, challenges, and obstacles they’ll have to overcome.
Not only will they train their physical endurance to perform techniques but they’ll build mental endurance as well which will give them a strong will, discipline, and resilience among other things. When a child walks with confidence everyone notices, even the bully.
Your child will learn how to assert themselves safely and confidently that will shut down most attempts at bullying before it becomes a physical issue.
Will my kid become a bully?
On the contrary! Many parents notice that after a while of training martial arts that their kid tends to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. This is another talking point we have with our students.
It’s important for them to understand what it means to have empathy and compassion. This leads to a kind heart but not in such a way that they are a pushover. There is a saying, “It’s better to be a warrior in a garden than to be a gardener in a war.” Bullying of any kind isn’t tolerated at The Budo Shingikan Dojo and they all know that.
We also have graduate programs for our most senior students as well which become one of the many goals the kids have. It’s really quite the environment. Martial arts helps prevent bullying, it doesn’t create bullies. If you have a child experiencing bullying then please reach out to us. Let us help.
In Oneness,
Kaiso
