Teen Violence And Self Defense?
Should children learn self defense?
The rise of violence in our schools and the crimes committed on our streets by juveniles has hit a disgusting peak and I’m here to say YES…kids need to learn how to defend themselves!
What really pissed me off this week was the burning of a 15-year old, Michael Brewer, at the hands of a group of gang members who had been terrorizing him for some time.
Here’s a link to the full story: Michael Brewer – Burned By Gang Members
Michael Brewer, 15, couldn’t get away from his attackers despite not going to school. His mother said the boy was so afraid of the gang of boys - all 15-years old or younger - that he refused to go to school on Monday and they had set up a conference with school administration for Tuesday.
That proved to be too late. Brewer was attacked by five other students from Deerfield Beach Middle School and badly burned after the boys held him down, doused him with rubbing alcohol and then set him on fire. Police believe it was all retaliation over a bicycle.
Brewer suffered second- and third-degree burns over 65 percent of his body and is expected to take more than a year of intense physical therapy to recover from his injuries.
“It’s a complete nightmare,” Valerie Brewer said.
The vengeful attack follows several other instances of school and teen violence that have made national headlines.
Locally, Coral Gables High School turned into a bloody murder scene after Juan Carlos Rivera was stabbed to death by classmate Andy Rodriguez.
In Chicago, the school violence issue came to a head after video footage surfaced of a student beaten to death during a brawl at a school bus stop.
This news story really pissed me off and broke my heart at the same time. To the point that I can’t HELP but do something! In fact, our ISCQC organization will be making a contribution to the boy’s recovery to show him that we feel for his misfortune and that the world is pulling for him. If you’d like to do the same, you may do so using the information at the bottom of this news story about Michael.
Unfortunately, Michael is not the only one victimized in today’s schools. Having consulted with many schools in areas infested by gang violence and witnessing initiations and retaliations first hand, the group mind-set of ruthless gang members feeds on more and more violence and they become conditioned to care less and less about the consequences to their victims.
Frankly, I don’t care whether a kid learns Tae Kwon Do or WWII combatives…ANYTHING that will help a teen learn how to punch and give them practice in how to hit someone could mean the difference between life or death. Of course, I’m partial to learning how to remove someone’s eyesight for the rest of their life or kick their balls so far up into their body they’ll come out their mouth if they’re trying to hold me down while dousing me or my loved ones with alcohol to set us on fire.
The choice is a personal one. I remember my 9 year old son watching me train with a self defense DVD and the next day we got a phone call from his school principal that he had struck someone in the neck during recess while “practicing” self defense. Ok, I get it…there’s a responsibility that comes with training in particularly brutal tactics. But we don’t live in “Gangland, USA” either. If we did, I’d have to say that I’d be showing him a hell of a lot more!
Your thoughts? Share your comments below…
This really is disgusting to hear about. I bet these kids were also jocks, the typical stereotype of a bully. Granted, there are some jocks who are nice people, but these days, they are getting harder to find. I agree that kids, and anyone else really, should learn self defense. We live in a world were the submissive behavior no longer works, it get’s us killed. And like the author of this article, I don’t care what martial art/self defense program people choose, so long as they get one. I think that something close to deadly force, would have been appropriate for this situation, as the flames could have ended this kid’s life. Maybe a swift kick to the nuts that rupture them to the point where the aggressor couldn’t produce life on their own would have done. Or taking their sight, and letting them live the rest of their lives blind, for attempting to cook someone alive would do. I don’t blame the kid for not fighting back, maybe he didn’t know how. Or maybe he was overwhelmed by the mass attack, and froze in fear. I don’t know, I wasn’t there, and I wish this kid wasn’t either. The point that I am trying to reach is this. Yes, I agree 100% that all the good guys in the world learn to gouge eyes, butt heads, and knee groins. Anything to allow us to come home at the end of the day, happy to be alive!
Neil in #16 brings up some interesting points…
When I was growing up, I remember that the movie “Warriors” was removed from theaters because it sparked “wanna-be gang fights” in the parking lots of the theaters. Watch that same movie today and you’d think that Barney the Dinosaur should have a cameo appearance because it’s so tame by today’s “gang movies”.
Hollywood has both criticized AND glamorized gang life. As anyone who’s been in combat can tell you (and I know I have a lot of military who read this blog), killing someone is NOT the “cool” even it’s made out to be in the movies…even when the “bad guys” get what’s coming to them.
As a dad of three beautiful daughters, you better beleive I see the need for them to be able to defend themselves. I teach Tae Kwon Do and I have made them all train. They have not always been happy with me, and sometimes to the point of tears because they just did not want to train, however I believe they are better able to defend themselves then their friends are. My oldest will be going to college next fall, and although I will always worry about her when she is gone, at least I know I have done what I can to give her an advantage if she is attacked.
Thank you for all you do Jeff.
I have two childern myself ages 7 and 6 . My 7 year old is already practicing Junsado, as well as jujitsu. Myself as an ex MMA I train everyday and my childern do also. Mainly by copying me at the moment, But, my 7 year old had to use “his skills” as it was put against a little “thug Larva ” just yesterday. You know what ? I was proud as hell when the boys dad came to me and said my 7 year old “beat up his 9 year old!!.. EVERYONE ,NO MATTER WHAT AGE ,NEEDS TO KNOW SOME TYPE OF SELF DEFENSE SYSTEM IN TODAYS WORLD..
I’m wth you Jeff. This reaches a point of no return for a reader or anyone concerned with the activities of people who are to cowardice to live their lives as normal people do. Gangs are for the weak willed and for those that require numbers of people to feel secure. I was attached once and from that point on made it a point not to have it happen again. I have committed myself to ensuring those around me live safe and are safe at all costs. My grand kids are enrolled in Jujitsu and loving it. The art of self defense comes with responsibility and control and all who walk this world today should learn some form of self defense to eliminate to some degree the possibility of being hurt of killed. God Bless You Jeff for your Skill and Concern
This is a no brainer, GET THE TRAINING, you need to defend yourself, this goes for everyone in this world where computer games let you kill or be killed, and still live. In the real world you die and that is the end. You must protect yourself and your family, the police arn’t always going to be close and get there in time. In the Consitution we have rights, even though we are loosing them every day, and in the Bill OF Rights, We can protect ourselves. We must do it for ourselves and the people we love. You can not just turn the other cheek any more.
Sir;
I tought my boys to defend themselves, and to protect thier sisters and tried to teach my girls but raninto much opposition by family and church on the girls. everybody needs to lern self defense. God bless…
I agree that our children need to know how to defend themselves. There is a fine line in teaching them defense and keeping them from being afraid of the entire world.
I just did a review for Give Kids a Fighting Chance, and it really opened my eyes. We know as parents that we have to teach our children some sort of protection and planning, but I had no idea that even after taking self defense myself, I didn’t have all of the knowledge needed to pass on to my children.
Parents, you have to learn the tools it takes to empower your children. You have to teach them, and I mean really teach them, then you have to practice enough that it becomes part of their reflexes.
It makes me sick that people are beaten, murdered, abducted, and sexually assaulted every day. It has got to stop.
Sunshine Simmons
Portland Parenting Examiner
The boys and girls must learn self defence drom a proper place to save them from unwanted situations
It’s a bloody shame that our society is devolving to this level. I think that the parents are largely to blame for this type of problem. I have neighbors that are in their Fifties and still act like they’re in the 8th grade. I see their kids and grand kids becoming just like them and I think they just don’t care. I Hope that things will improve but I doubt it. That poor boy was probably the best kid in the neighborhood and the others just have that needy “wolfpack” mentality. I hope the young man recovers and doesn’t become bitter. He could be somebody special someday.I believe that self defense is very beneficial but when faced with a gang it is a little more difficult. Still, I believe that the strong ward off possible attacks by the weak for the most part by the way they carry themselves.
I dont think it is right for school kids who want to learn something,or retired,and hard working american people who pay taxes to be terroized by bullies,or criminals.These good people I have mentioned contribute,or have to this country. When the goverment wont do anything about protecting innocent people,that is taking away their rights.It is like legalized crime,or terrorizm!That is not one bit fair! criminals,and other people who don’t want to be responsable citizens should be completely separated from those who want to be good citizens!There are people who need goverment assistment,but there is alot of people who dont need it,or deserve it!The point is good people have the right to protect themselfs peroid!
Altho not a teen,my wife was jumped by a *^%#*!! she broke his wrist and “kicked his ass”.Fight fire with fire! Send those fire starten boys over seas and let a ten yr. old child KICK THIER ASS’S… Boys & girls should be able to defend themselves with disapline & stop when the point is proven! Some song comes to mind about : “Teach your
children well” (My wife Scares me and shes only 5′2) Carry on people…..
I believe that teens should be able to learn self defence. But there is a problem when trying to ditinguosh between self defence and an acctual attack. It is important to teach them that only to use this in necessary conditions like when your getting beat up after school in the parking lot or getting mugged not if someone knocked your books down in the hall way.
That’s sad, I think the boys who did this deserve jail.
Well let’s see here…as a former Martial Arts Instructor (Shodan Kempo 1978), former U S Army Airborne Ranger LRRP in Vietnam 2 tours, ex-biker, and ex-successful street fighter myself, I’ll answer the question this way:
I HATE BULLIES and HUMAN PREDATORS.
If given leave to dispense justice as I see fit, I could make this world a better place, simply by removing the human garbage that fall into the above named categories.
However, that is me.
My experience with teaching young ones even basic stance, and hand and arm techniques is that most are not serious, nor ever could be serious – unless shocked into some other mental state by a tragedy, sad but very true.
Most young ones are in self defence classes because their parents what them there, and let’s not forget “paying the fees” to the school to make them something that they are not already. I’ve seen it a hundred times, and it’s the primary reason I ceased Martial Arts as a profession 31 years ago.
So, “am I for, or against teens learning self defence?”
I am “FOR” it, but realize that most of the effectiveness of any training is the result of what makes up the MIND and WILL, and RESOLVE of the person.
So yeah, TEACH EM and TEACH EM GOOD – but don’t expect too much.
True ability to survive a REAL live and death street encounter comes from years of training MIND and WILL, and RESOLVE to survive, regardless of the size of the attacker(s) and regardless of the conditions.
Our society does not lend itself to allowing such training, especially for “teens” – people who dare to train like that are on FBI watch lists and deemed threats to “National Security.”
Those are my thoughts, born of 55 years of “Taking care of business.”
Ciao,
Z. Wade Hampton
Perry, UT, USA
kids should definately learn to defend themselves..also this might help them in taking out their excess energy and putting it into sumtin useful.
The root cause of all this is fear. Just like the literature given by International Society of Close Quarter Combatants mentions. We are all so fearful because the world system, including church, has skewed the mainframe. God in the name of Christ Jesus gave his only begotten Son for us, who said greater works than He did shall we do who believe in Him and seek His kingdom. Not just on Sundays and Wednesday evenings either. We are being told by our leaders, our teachers, our clergy to do what is right, obey the law, and keep out of trouble. Nothing about kindness to others, helping our neighbors … let alone our ‘enemies’. Keep God out of the picture, stop using the name of Jesus Christ in the sermons, bibles are not necessary. The evil I am referring to is causing ALL of us to walk in fear. The gangmember brutilizes others in retaliation for another beating that started because of fear of disloyalty/disempowerment/disrespect within their ‘zone’. Cooperation’s and government executives do the same thing with lawyers backing them up day after day. We as common laborers obey the disrespectful/disloyal/disempowering ‘bossmen’ to keep getting the paycheck. The problem now is the guns, knives, and drugs are giving some younger and older people the idea they have the power to undo the wrongs themselves. Empowering our sons, daughters and ourselves without seeking the kingdom of God in the name of Christ Jesus first is just going to fuel the fire of hatred and fear even more. Christ Jesus is not a wimp and the demons that tread on us with this hatred and fear are well aware of His power. We must all stand up, fess up and empower eachother with the mainframe connected.
Stories like that make me angry as well! I absolutely think young people should learn how to protect themselves. It is important that they learn real defense, (not flashy movie stuff)and are taught to be responsible with what they learn.
my heart goes out to the young fellow as it is very unfortunate to hear about such gruesome acts of violence however i am very sorrowful to say this is the world we live in.i life you have to overcome obsticles; some you just cannot walk away from. god will only help those who help themselves, train your mind and body in martial arts and you may have a better understanding of how the world and war works. a principle that my teacher said to me that i wih to share with you ” since the creation of manhood and life on earth we have all lived by one principle “SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST” even till this day it still applies, take time to think about it carefullly it is simply in more inovative ways than having the bigger club” food for thought.again my condolences to the youth
It is allways sad when a child is hurt ore molested by other children.
But sometimes we forget a question. Where are the parent to those children that do this? How have they brought up there children?
We had some problems at my daughters school, I whent to the headmaster and explained the situation, I also told him that if the situation did´nt change I would teach my daughter how to protect herself. Afther that the situation changed. We do´nt have the same problems in Sweden that you have in the U.S.
But generaly I´m against teaching children self defence if it´s not done because of the training. I will not teach a child self defence for protection, if the child ore the parents can´t prove to me that the child is in danger.
Excuse me for my bad english. I´m a Swede.
The way world is going, with gangs, violence, and crime, abductions, I believe teaching your children, or having them taught, self defense is inevitable. They can’t rely on the SRO (school resource Officer, the teachers, principal, or their parents all the time for the protection they need. They should not have to worry about their safety, or wonder who will protect them when they go to school.They should not have to fear for their life when they go anywhere. Kids don’t stay at home all the time, and we can’t expect them to. They enjoy life, and doing things. We teach them right and wrong, and how to make the right choices, when we are not around, because we love them. Because we love them, and we can’t be around them all the time, for protection we need to teach them how to defend and take care of themselves, BUT we must stress to them that self defense is just that, SELF DEFENSE, used only when absolutely necessary, and not for BULLYING. WE can’t see the future, GOD forbid, but someday their life may depend on it.
this pisses me off too. those little bastards should get just what they gave!
well because of that yeah or just buy your kid a knife or some brass knuckles kids these days really know how to use them but if the kid is scared of punching or hurting some one teach the kid some jiu jitsu stuff, but about the gang problem mostly the ones that get killed are the ones that started the whole shit some parents around my area say that there kids where good and never got in to problems but teens dont tell u everything kid looks like if he did drugs im not trying to insult anybody but magnet students around here be smoking their sacks and what not and i know it wasent just a bike the kid probably said something well i dont really want to come with a big discussion but yeah, TEACH YOUR KIDS SOME MOVES PUT THEM IN LIKE MUAY THAI OR WHAT EVER U SEE EXCEPT KARATE THAT JUST MAKES KIDS LOOK LIKE PUSSIES…. NO OFFENSE
The article about Micheal was sad. He didn’t deserve what those thugs did to him, and shouldn’t have been made to suffer like that. However I was reading the comments left by the person who submitted this, and some others who read this article, and was a little annoyed by the bloodlust some people were showing. I want to make something perfectly clear; martial arts is NOT meant for violence. Many of the techniques we are taught can be deadly. The objective isn’t “teaching a kid how to kick and punch” or to give someone else a “ass-whooping.” On the contrary, martial arts teaches how to resolve conflicts with little to no violence. We are taught the defense moves only if there is no other way out. We are then taught that once we have disarmed the attacker, and have escaped his/her hold, that we should run. The point of martial arts is to give you a last resort. Not a weapon to beat people up with. One should ALSO keep in mind that real martial arts differ greatly from the movies, where the moves are exagerated, and all philosophy is disreguarded. Thanks for your time.
THESE KIND OF CASES ARE COMMON IN INDIA I AM A OF 14YRS OF AGE
AND I WANNA LEARN FIGHTING LIKE OLD TIME WARRIORS