WHAT IS THE VALUE OF SELF DEFENSE FOR WOMEN?
(Thomas E. Bell, Masters of Science, Marriage & Family Therapy)
Our world continues to change, both gradually and dramatically. As the roles of women have expanded and grown considerably, it is even more important for women to be prepared. Women work, raise children and families alone, have careers, run companies and serve in local and national governments. In addition, the events of 9/11 have forever changed our perception and definition of safety. The safer we try to be, the more safeguards we install, the more the illusion of safety results.
So, what is the value of self-defense for women? Learning self-defense allows women to take an active role in empowering themselves to thrive in a changing and complex world. Becoming skilled at self-defense techniques offers women a unique opportunity to help gain empowerment and improve their chance of being a survivor rather than a victim. Self-defense offers an opportunity for women to think clearly, anticipate and evaluate potential threats and decide what they can do to protect themselves.
Self-defense involves learning how to use someone else's power or physical ability against them. Physical strength need not be a limiting factor for women. More importantly, a person trained in self-defense has an advantage as perpetrators can underestimate a women’s ability to defend and protect themselves.
Yes, we need all the gadgets, laws, security procedures, and police we can afford, however, systems and security measures provide only so much protection. The police can’t always be there to protect you, try they may. Self-defense does not require you to remember to turn on a switch, have a phone ready or a weapon within reach. Self-defense provides you with tools, which become “instinctive.” Those trained in self-defense do not rely on others for their safety. They rely on themselves. Their confidence is placed in themselves, not on some gadget or strategy or on another person.
Self-defense also can assist women in the following ways:
- A woman who is able to protect herself can help provide her children with the same sense of empowerment and confidence she has gained from her training.
- Conveying a sense of confidence can help deter potential attackers.
- Powerful people depend on themselves and that is the best deterrence.
- Women trained in self-defense gain a higher sense of personal value and with their added empowerment can succeed in the world with this added security.