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Post by shinzan on Jan 5, 2011 16:33:04 GMT
Should self defense be included in the mainstream school curriculum?
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Post by genkaimade on Jan 5, 2011 16:45:05 GMT
Most definitely not is my answer, unfortunately. It's incredibly hard for me to comprehend as someone who loves the martial arts so much, but quite a lot of people really don't like them :S
It had never even occurred to me that this could be the case before the following :S Basically, Chris Crudelli (just in case you don't know him, he's been a student of kung fu his whole life - he moved to china specifically for it when he was a kid - and has had some very successful tv series, 'Mind, Body, and Kick Ass Moves' being the most famous) holds yearly seminars, and I thought it might be fun to go along. So, I asked a friend if he'd like to go, and his answer was as follows: "It might be cool and all watching the stuff, but I don't want to do it". This totally dumbfounded me :/
Anywho though, back to the point. Although I don't think it should be included in the mainstream curriculum, I think a system like the Japanese one in which martial arts can be a replacement for PE would be a very good idea.
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Post by fujicolt on Jan 5, 2011 17:44:51 GMT
when i was first doing karate and loved it so - i simply couldn't understand why everyone wasn't doing it. then my wise old Mum said to me 'Son you have to understand that not everyone will love it like you do, would you enjoy trainspotting?' since then I have kind of accepted that MA's are not everyones cuppa tea. The thing with teaching SD in schools i would be concerned that the PC and H&S brigade would take over - formalize it and then we would get people who did a 10 hr government course teaching it - that i believe would be dangerous
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Post by kensei on Jan 5, 2011 22:34:36 GMT
Depends on the goals and objectives of the course. If it is to teach some fluffy Kicky stuff then NO! If it is to teach children the best way to Harm others..NO. But if it is a dicipline thing and to teach the "good stuff" ideals then maybe...depending on who does it, the intent and the function of the plan.
I am all for putting a bit more dicipline back into the school system...especially seeing as most schools are lacking in that reguard. But it has to be governed correctly and run correctly...two facets I dont see ever working in our favour.
The ideal would be the Japanese way of offering it as an alternative and then a side program designed for kids with "ISSUES" that can benefit from it. but that is just me...trying to fix the world! ;D
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Post by shinzan on Jan 6, 2011 15:26:18 GMT
Interesting. Alex you post NO at the beginning then "a very good idea" for martial arts to be included as the last statment?
Steve do you agree in principal? I too feel that the risk of poor teaching would inhibit positive education.
Kensei. I agree just teaching kids how to hurt each other is not commendable. I think the lessons to be learned with regards to respect for others, self-confidence and resposability for youe actions are. Can it be achieved?
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Post by fujicolt on Jan 6, 2011 23:10:49 GMT
David - tis like this: My son had a weekly 'martial arts class' at school and we signed for permission for him to do it. it turned out to be some kind of hybrid kickfuey stuff that was abysmal, but because the school had no one with any knowledge of Martial arts to make decisions and because to the uneducated eye it appeared the real deal (flashy T-shirts and brightly striped Gi bottoms etc - an instructor and his daughter - Assistant sensei ( ) whom where naturally very supple and could do lots of high and jumping spinning kicks etc) it had been sanctioned. this is my fear. however if i knew that the clubs where (for example) ASK or SEKU or JKA or another organisation (any legitimate style) with a history , structure and trustworthy senior instructors overseeing it all i then would welcome a well structured and monitored system being introduced to the schools - but sadly David (and i hope against hope i am wrong) i don't think you could get them to coordinate sufficiently - still too much silly rivalries IMHO.
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Post by tomobrien on Jan 7, 2011 3:19:24 GMT
I once taught an 'Adult Education' course on SD. A lot of the people thought it was just a joke & they goofed around & had some laughs. ;D They never took it seriously. I would venture a guess that it would be even worse in public education. I never did it again. If people show that behavior in my dojo I show them the door. Thanks, Tom
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Post by jimlukelkc on Jan 7, 2011 18:50:33 GMT
I have been asked to do an after school session by the school whose hall we train in. I have had to decline the offer due to work commitments sadly but the headmistress there is an exception i think. She has noted the benefits to her students and is a passionate advocate of our dojo, often recommending us to parents. It would work only if experienced martial artists with years of coaching kids under their belts were involved, otherwise forget it.
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Post by shinzan on Jan 8, 2011 8:30:14 GMT
i agree that to be worthwhile it would require specilised and experienced instructors. At the moment kids in mainstream schools don0.t even have the option to. In my opinion schools are missing a major oppertunity by not delivering this sort of education. if they were to do so I only see it working on a non compulsory basis
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Post by shinzan on Jan 8, 2011 10:37:49 GMT
Hi Bert. lots of input there thanks. I've simply raised the question should self defense be included in the curriculum? I was unaware of boxing as a subject at many schools. TKD: is it's purpose self defense? To be fair there's very little bitching on this forum on the contrary in fact. As for promoting Japanese culture. What does that really have to do with self defense?
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Post by jimlukelkc on Jan 8, 2011 12:34:12 GMT
Bit of negativity there Bert although i agree about handing money to Japanese headed orgs. Karate is only a sport if practiced as a sport and i think it is too complicated a subject to be summed up like that, however with regard to getting quicker results from boxing then of course you will as you would from Karate if you only studied kicking and punching. I have found gradings expensive regardless of the organisation and frankly who cares if it is recognised by another organisation? it is at best a clumsy indicator of profficiency and if you have an understanding of your own ability it does not require validation by others. I wont get into the whole boxing debate , that has been done to death on another forum but I do believe karate has as much to offer if not more and self-defence for schools? as part of a structured lesson stressing a strong anti-bullying message and with the attendant discipline and ettiquete it can only have benefits. It gets my vote.
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Post by fujicolt on Jan 8, 2011 16:50:00 GMT
Well Bert (Garage) you appear to have quite complex opinions for someone who claims to have done there training in a garage but heyho you are entitled to them. the thing is Bert there ar3e many of us who whilst respecting certain Japanese Instructors and the fantastic instruction they have given, do not bow to a Japanese culture and are far from being 'stupid foriegnors with no culture' you appear to have had a bad experience at some time that (probably justifiably) has left you feeling quite bitter but you have free will Bert - get out of the garage and go explore - i think (NO I KNOW) that you would find many things to lift your spirit and rectify your current thinking. I could name many whom visit this forum that would make you very welcome and display a form of Karate that is useful, dynamic, modern and full of culture. Good luck
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Post by fujicolt on Jan 8, 2011 18:27:59 GMT
Bert - there are NO wrong posts here unless they are crude, rude or otherwise inappropriate and Dod is on that in a flash - so keep posting.
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