by Vikas Reddy

Created on: November 18, 2008   Last Updated: January 18, 2011

Martial arts are a great way to improve a kid's self-confidence. But to tackle the question of knowing what martial arts is best for the kid, one has to know the difference between each style and how it is actually the fighter, and not the style, that determines how skilled a martial artist is.

Why learn martial arts?

One doesn't have to be a good martial artist to be a good fighter. When people hear you say you're a martial artist, they expect you to be the incarnate of Bruce Lee. This is far from the truth, everyone is different.

The same goes for styles of martial arts. Kung Fu, Karate, Savate, Capoeira, etc. The style does not make the man. The fight is what makes the man. Though each style can be more practical than the other, it doesn't arbitrarily constitute to someone being a better fighter.

People learn martial arts for a number of reasons. To stay in shape, to empower themselves, to build confidence, for discipline, and lastly and most significant, or to genuinely want to know how to defend themselves.

The majority of people do like to know how to beat up people who want to mess with them. Think of it like being a cop. Half the police force became part of the police force so they can own a gun; who doesn't want to feel that power? To protect the innocent and serve justice is just rationalization in using the gun. Why do you think countries go to war 'for the sake of peace'? War and Peace are not as opposite in extremes as you might think.

What's the point of martial arts if you already know how to fight?

A martial art is by definition, a systematic form of combat created in a particular society. Nearly every group of people in the world has the system.

So you're thinking, if you're a good fighter now, why learn martial arts?

Nobody in the world is saturated in their knowledge of combat. There is always another technique (practical and impractical) to learn, and further training to be done.

Think of the short distance events of Track and Field. In the 100 meters event, the difference between 10 and 12 seconds seems very minuscule to the average person, but the strength and focus it takes to close those two seconds is insanely significant. Not everyone can be an Olympic sprinter because genetics plays a huge role. But years of conditioning, experience, and training can improve your time by a second or more. That second is huge.

If you played the game Counter-Strike before, you know the purpose of the Kevlar Vest. It costs a lot, but it can be the ultimate

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