Women's self defense issues are constantly in the news and a 'hot' topic for conversations. In fact, the number one concern from women, especially single women in the dating world, is rape.
It seems that everyone from police officers to karate instructors has his or her own philosophy and theories about the how's and why's of self defense for women and girls.
The truth is though, that many of the same techniques and tactics taught to men for self-protection simply will not work for a woman. Why?...
... because attacks perpetrated on women have, at their foundation, certain inherent problems, issues, and conditions that are often very different for men who find themselves in defensive situations. Women have to deal with things that, quite frankly, men don't.
If this is something you're really concerned about, you owe it to yourself to do some serious research to get more information about real-world self-defense for women designed around issues specifically related to womens self-defense.
Now, before some of you start rolling your eyes or nodding your head in agreement, this is not a women's lib issue or anything of the sort. It's simply the way it is.
What kind of things make self-defense for women different? I'm glad you asked.
Well, for starters, physiologically speaking, there is a 7-to-3 strength ratio between male and female bodies. That means that if you were to stand a man and a woman, having the same height, weight, and build, side-by-side, and all things considered (health, fitness, etc.)...
... the man would still be two-and-a-half times stronger than the woman!
This is not theory or one person's belief over those of others. It's scientific fact.
Next, women are more likely to be slapped, grabbed and pinned than punched or kicked. For men, it's just the opposite. The fact is that, most of us have been conditioned since childhood to act, play, and, yes, fight with each gender very differently. And attackers are no different.
The good news is that more and more women are being drawn to the life-enhancing benefits of the martial arts and basic self-defense programs for increasing their level of self-confidence and overall feelings of safety and security. The not-so-good news is that...
... there is a shortage of:
* Martial arts instructors who understand scientific self-defense, 'and' have the necessary life experience to be able to teach from a perspective that shares that experience.
After all...
... if an instructor has never been in a real-world self defense situation themselves, it will make it nearly impossible for them to teach real self defense to anyone - let alone self defense for women. It's kind of like going to a priest of counselor for marriage counselling who has never been married themselves. They both have information passed on by others but, neither has anyway of expressing that information based on real-word knowledge.
However, there is an over-abundance of...
...so-called self-defense experts who are of the tough-guy, fighter type or the "This is Reality - Deal With it! macho-type.
These people, by their very nature are the "slugger-types" who rely and depend on speed, strength and size to win. Since self defense situations usually involve a bigger, faster, stronger attacker victimizing a smaller, less-prepared target - and, that'sexactly what most women are up against when they're attacked...
... these instructors, and their "strike-first-and-crush-them-where-they-stand mentalities, are far from being suited, knowledgeable, or able to deliver the necessary lessons needed by women to effectively protect themselves from an assailant intent on dominating them physically.
Other Considerations for Girls and Womens Self Defense
The following is a partial list of some of the other major differences between self defense for women and men. The important thing to remember is that...
... a self-defense situation is very different from a sport or competition-based contest where the individuals are willing participants. They are evenly matched to insure for a "fair fight." I have been in contests and I have been attacked and I can tell you without a moment's doubt that...
... there is nothing "fair" or "even" about a real attack. NOTHING! And, once your personal space is invaded by another human being wanting to beat you to your core, you will know what I mean and never, ever, buy into the crap that most of these so-called experts are shovelling.
With that said, please know that I have not said that every self-defense or martial arts instructor is full of it. Just that you must know what you need and make sure that that's what you're getting. Remember - you're not buying a couch that you can take back. A mistake in this area could literally cost you your life!
Here are some other differences between men's and women's training that a good program must address:
* Cultural Influences - girls have been taught from a very early age that fighting was not "lady-like."
Oh my god! What would people think!
* Situational Self-Defense - rape and sexual assault are two of the biggest differences between the genders when it comes to suriviving an attack.
The fact that men are usually dealing with the more obvious situations (muggings and competitive ("oh-yeah! let's go!"-type fighting), while women, and more and more young girls, are required to deal with subtle tactics like date-rape or being ambushed by a group.
Add to this the strength differential discussed earlier, and you have a very different situation, requiring very different self-protection tactics.
* Incorrect Information - I believe that the majority of teachers and instructors mean well. They aren't out to con you. It's just that they have no real experience to go on so they do what everyone does when they don't know any better...
... they make assumptions that seem logical and rational within their own frame of reference.
The problem is that we're talking about self-protection here...
... self defense for women...
... girls self-defense. Not...
... vegetable soup. Where, if you make a mistake, you can just dump the pot and start over.
As I said earlier, a mistake in a women's self-defense situation, in any situation requiring defense against an attack from an assailant bent on damaging you, could be very, very costly indeed.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Chinese Martial Arts
- Kung fu martial arts, kung fu master info - Zhiquan Qing
- The real kung fu martial arts in China
- All About Mixed Martial Arts
- A Novel Of Martial Arts - The Eleventh Son
- Kung fu martial arts info - Shiming Zhou
- Mixed Martial Arts Continues to Grow in Popularity
- Nothing New Under the Sun: Mixed Martial Arts Bears Striking Resemblance to Ancient Greek Pankration




FA Cup magic in full swing
By: Ben Carso | 04/01/2010The FA Cup 3rd round went into overdrive on Saturday and Sunday with just the one big surprise coming at an unlikely venue in...
Capello will not lose sleep over early FA Cup exits
By: Ben Carso | 04/01/2010When one looks at the dates closely you can imagine Fabio Capello, the England football manager smiling happily on Sunday evening that...
Early FA Cup exit blessing in disguise
By: Ben Carso | 04/01/2010With so may fixtures these days however, the FA Cup meaning a possible 7 extra fixtures, it could be said that the FA Cup is now one...
Fiesta Bowl 2010: Boise State (13-) vs. T.C.U. (12-0)
By: Sports Betting | 04/01/2010Fiesta Bowl 2010: Boise State (13-) vs. T.C.U. (12-0)
Rod Building Accessories Caters to the Needs of Both Hobby and Professional Rod Builder Alike
By: Jenny Jamey | 04/01/2010ROD ramping up EQUIPMENT- Blanks The spine of your fishing rod is going to be the rod blank. Way back in Grandpas day that would have been anything lying in just about that he could make a pole from. Most oftentimes, a right rugged tree branch would suit the intention quite...
K2 Snowboard Boots
By: Lewis Cline | 04/01/2010Snow boarding is an incredibly well-liked and an ever-growing winter sport. Here are some basic facts about boarding. - Snowboarding was first invented by Sherman Poppen in the year 1965. Come visit us right here for more info on K2 Snowboard 2009. We are the greatest source of info on Snowboarding today. http://k2snowboarding.org - Early boards were simple in their design and were manufactured by just fixing 2 skis together. ...
World Cup Soccer Tickets
By: Sherin | 04/01/2010You can easily book your World Cup Soccer tickets as well as rental properties online.
Yes Bowling - Bowling Guide Review
By: Andrei Felix | 04/01/2010Yes Bowling is an ebook that will teach you the secret for throwing more strikes, picking up impossible spares, and humiliating your bowling buddies frame after frame.
Workplace Violence in the Medical Sector - a Unique Perspective
By: Jeffrey Miller | 11/07/2008 | ManagementWhile the concept of violence in the workplace is not new by any means, any more than workplace violence is an "American-thing," the medical sector is waking up to the reality that it is in a, so-called, league of its own. This article discusses some of the "realities" that sets medical professionals apart from other industries when it comes to dealing with violence in the workplace.
3 Keys to Effective Self-Defense
By: Jeffrey Miller | 05/07/2008 | Martial ArtsWhen you think of a self-defense situation, what are the top three considerations for being effective? Is it having strength, stamina, power, or a lot of techniques?
Corporate Workplace Violence Plan - Will Yours Fail When You Need it Most?
By: Jeffrey Miller | 25/06/2008 | ManagementThe problem with most workplace violence plans is something that is often invisible to most managers responsible for the development of these policies. And yet, this missing piece could actually leave you and your company holding the proverbial bag, liability-wise, should the unthinkable happen to, or by, one of your employees.
Martial Arts and Real-World Self-Defense: Using the Kubotan Self-Defense Keychain
By: Jeffrey Miller | 03/05/2007 | Sports & FitnessThe most surprising thing that students find when learning to use the Kubotan self-defense keychain, is just how many things can be done with this simple-looking little tool. And that, is part of it's power!
"Kick Me Where It Counts": A Critical Mistake in Martial Arts and Self-Defense Training
By: Jeffrey Miller | 01/05/2007 | Sports & FitnessDuring my recent visit to Japan for training, there was one overriding thing that I noticed about most of the black belts that I trained with. Now, if they were just having fun and aren't really looking to be able to defend themselves...
A Martial Artist Wears Out Early But A Warrior Gets Better With Age
By: Jeffrey Miller | 01/05/2007 | Sports & FitnessEver wonder why Today's martial artists are broken and battered by middle age when the ancient warrior masters were defeating younger, faster, stronger opponents well into their eighties? The reason just might not be what you think.
Martial Arts & Self-Defense Weapons: What IS a "Kubotan"?
By: Jeffrey Miller | 01/05/2007 | Sports & FitnessIf you do a search on the internet, there seems to be no end to what has been written about this simple, yet powerful weapon. There seems to be no small supply of writers who have used dramatic titles to add to the impact of an otherwise so-so article on the subject.