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[quote=Anonymous]The majority of martial arts schools these days are kid-oriented. They teach self-assertive behavior and anti bullying as part of the curriculum.

Learning a martial art well enough to use it for self defense takes several years. Even with skilled technique, size, weight and strength are still factors, and anybody who tells you otherwise is lying. That being said, there are basic defensive techniques that are pretty easy to learn and can be effective, especially if the bully doesn’t know they’re coming.

For a young child, the specific art probably matters less than the teacher (who is going to help the student develop more confidence and a greater sense of self worth) and the student body (which can provide a non-school circle of friends where there is automatically a common interest).

“Real” Karate (be it Japanese, Okinawan or Korean) can be devastating. But that’s not what you’re going to get from a strip mall school aimed at kids.

To my mind, the most effective schools are ones where the students get to practice real techniques in a controlled way. Two good examples are Judo (an Olympic sport, exemplified by arm-bar Rhonda Rousey) and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (which is the basis for what the Marines are teaching these days). If your kid decides he’s tired of being a victim and lands a solid shot on the other kid with a Karate hand or foot technique, there might be blood or broken bones or teeth involved and your kid will be at risk of getting in trouble for too much force. With a grappling art, all the other kid can say is “Billy tripped me and twisted my arm.”

Most martial arts schools teach some grappling, tripping, throwing and joint locking, but if you can find one that specializes in those and is good with kids, that might be a good choice.

Good luck. It is terrible to see your child pushed around. [/quote]

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