Boys and Karate, is that asking for trouble?
By toe_ster
@toe_ster (770)
United States
August 17, 2007 12:27pm CST
I have a 6, 4 and 2 year old. We live in a place where there are limited recreational activities for my kids age. They cannot get into sports until 1-3 grade. It kind of sucks. The only thing left is karate. I met a few women with the same age kids and it seems the consensus is down the middle on wether they think it is a good thing or bad thing for their kids. Some feel it is great discipline and energy releaser for their kids, and others feel it is too harsh teaching them kicking punching chops and other things. THey say some of the boys miss the whole discipline thing and just relish the fighting techniques they learn. Seeing as I already have three boys who love to wrestle and fight and hurt each other. There is a very thin line of playing and reality as someone always gets hurt. So what do you all think. Is it a wise decision to get into karate or better to just hold off a few more years until sports are available?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
18 Aug 07
I know boys who have taken karate, and I took karate myself. I don't think there is any harm in learning karate, as long as the sensei is good and sufficient discipline is taught. Just make sure your sons don't practice on their own, because they could hurt themselves.
2 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
17 Aug 07
As long as you get a good teacher it's great. It's not just teaching kids how to fight. They also teach discipline and solving problems non-violently. The skills are used only to protect yourself or others from harm.
My nephew went into Karate classes at age 6 and he did great and he had a great teacher. There is another teacher around here who stresses only "win at all costs". He's such a jerk. So you really need to talk to teachers and find out their teaching methods and principles.
It is rare that kids get hurt. Probably a lot less than playing on a playground or skateboarding.
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@cloud_kicker_32 (4635)
• United States
18 Aug 07
I think it may just depend on the cildren.I have been debating the same thing for a year now..he wants to and hes so very energetic and i think it would be great for helping with displine..but then you will always have those kids that take it further and then start hurting other kids because they know how..and i agree with someone else that said it also depends on the teacher..check them out and see whats more inportant to them..your kids or trophies..good luck:)
@tammyr (5946)
• Etowah, Tennessee
17 Aug 07
Karate is very good at teaching disipline. But like you said some may 'miss' that part of it.
You know your boys better than we do. You know if they take well to atthority. Do they mind you? or Do they ignore everything you say? I am sure they are somewhere in the middle.
Also talking to the people at the school you are thinking about, and even taking a visit there will help you decide. Most schools will let you take a free clas or two to see how you like it. That will give you some insight into how they will react to lessons.
I once babysat a young boy, and as a day trip we went to a demo by a school. That boy was a terror! He wouldn't listen to ANYTHING! But, while in that class he was a perfect angel, doing exactlly as told and not even stepping out of line. It would do him a lot of good, but each child is different.
2 people like this
@greatwolf75 (90)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I studied martial arts for several years and I don't really think there is anything wrong with it. I was like most people at first, thought I was invinceable, wanted to beat up everything. After a while, I got over that. A family member of mine and myself used to use each other as sparring partners and there were times we'd end up bloodied and bruised. The Dad's thought it was good for physical fitness and to "tuffin' us up", and the Mom's were worried we'd get hurt. In my opinion, in todays world kids learning to defend themselves is a good thing.
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