by Ian Black

Created on: May 22, 2008   Last Updated: May 26, 2008

I have recently been promoted to a yellow belt green tag in my martial arts class, which is Taekwondo. I have thoroughly enjoyed every step, and will continue participating in this line of self-defense until I am elderly.
The advantages of learning a martial arts at an early age of childhood, would be many. They would get the child into the mood of authority; being taught respect; and also, most importantly, it will make them feel more secure to go out on the streets, knowing they have knowledge of how to defend themselves against people that are out causing trouble.

In most cases, martial arts is a preliminary function, allowing people to get motivation into becoming more secure around a bad neighborhood, or just feeling more secure of themselves. Martial arts is a good place to meet new people; make new friends, learn about the martial art; it will also be an advantage to becoming fitter, or increasing your level of fitness.
If a child was perhaps wanting to take a path down that of the law - police force, or something - then handing in an application form showing that he or she is a junior black belt, will show an impressiveness and a respectable scenario from your fellow colleagues.
Since I started learning about Taekwondo, I have felt more secure being out on the streets. I even feel compelled to getting in to a fight - which I haven't - just to gain experience of what a real life situation would be like. But I know, from being taught self-discipline, I can only use what I have learned, for defense purposes only, and abusing that power that I have, would be a violation of everything my tutor has taught me. It would be a terrible sin, breaking the laws of learning such a renowned martial art.
People that take part in martial arts, whether it be Karate, Judo, Taekwondo or Jujitsu, have a more likely chance of being able to defend themselves, than those individuals that do not know how to defend themselves in a hostile situation.
An incident occurred last weekend. I was out in the town with my dad, and, as we were just making the way to the bank, a young man (he looked rather dodgy; shabby looking, bleary eyed) began to get abusively violent towards us. So, instead of confronting him there and then, my dad and I just turned and began walking away from something that could have become rather nasty. But, as we were moving away from the aggressive individual, he continued to follow us, shouting obscenities, forcing my father and I to remain on the ready. Thankfully, though, the man turned down a side alley.
It took a few seconds to regain a sense of awareness, knowing that we had done the right thing; walking away from a potentially volatile situation. Even though we are trained in the arts of self-defense, you also have to take in to account what it would look like on your conscience; it would be disrespectful and a negative outcome. But, you just always have to remain on the ready, sniffing out any lethal or potentially aggressive situation that may or may not arise.
Now, from stories of which I have just mentioned, martial arts would be supremely beneficial to that of a child, because then the attacker would be given a nasty surprise! So, if you're child is wanting to participate in some form of self-defense class, just surf about on the Net - or, go to your nearest sports center, and there should be someone at the reception desk that will give you information regarding dates, times, etc...
Just remember: martial arts is something to enjoy, never to be abused!

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