Bullying in schools is a common problem in Australia and most Western countries. The increase in the rates of bullying in schools can be attributed to poor socialisation and the media. Children who are bullied perform poorly in school and suffer emotional and psychological damage. Consequently, schools have implemented different anti-bullying programs to try to curb the vice. Nevertheless, cases of bullying and incidents of extreme aggression in schools have continued to be reported.
Luckily, evidence is increasingly showing that Martial Arts could be the permanent solution to bullying in schools. Don’t get it wrong, we are not advocating for confrontation and fights. Martial Arts help prevent bullying by boosting a child’s confidence, teaching discipline and self-control, and teaching them the self-defence skills they need to use in a scuffle. Continue reading to learn more about the skills martial arts teaches your child to help him/her ward off bullies in school.
Learning Confidence
In martial arts classes, students learn challenging things every day as they progress. When students successfully master and execute what they have been taught, it boosts their confidence and esteem. Remember, bullies target those they perceive as weak. Some martial arts courses include specific instruction on how to deal with bullies in school. For instance, students may be asked to role-play a typical bullying scenario, which teaches them to handle confrontations.
Teaching Discipline
All certified martial arts teachers emphasise to their students the importance of discipline in everything they do, including school and homework. This discipline helps students to distinguish the difference between right and wrong. Martial arts help students explore their limits, maintain their cool, and de-escalate the situation with a bully.
Teaching Respect
Martial arts is a game of respect; students are expected to show respect for instructors and fellow students at all times. This respect extends in their interactions with peers, friends, teachers, parents and significant others. By respecting others, the children also learn to show themselves respect. Self-respect teaches the child that nobody is worthy of bullying.
Moreover, the moves students learn from martial arts like KungFu radiate confidence, which sends the bullies packing naturally. The breathing exercises taught in martial arts help students learn how to control their emotions, for example, maintaining a firm tone when deflecting a bully.
Learning Self-Defense
A child who learns martial arts knows how to defend himself/herself against physical aggression. At the same time, students are taught to exercise extreme caution when using their martial arts skills. Martial arts is used for self-defence, not attacking others. Children with knowledge of self-defence are less likely to be bullied.
If you have been following the discussion, it is evident that martial arts is an effective solution against bullying. Don’t hesitate to enrol your child in one of the traditional martial arts courses such as KungFu, Karate, or Taekwondo. Apart from keeping away bullies, martial arts also teach your child good leadership skills that can benefit him/her in the future.