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How does a young girl defend herself?
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:36 pm
by Weetabix
Middle daughter (18) is venturing out on her own more often these days, and being pretty sometimes attracts attention I would rather she not attract. So far it's just been enough to make my antennae twitchy.
She's expressed an interest in pepper spray or mace. I'm thinking a kubaton or something on a key ring might be a good idea. She's taking tae kwan do.
What advice would you offer to equip a young woman to defend herself? Links to products? Links to sites with discussions? I know mindset is key, and I've been beating that drum for years.
Fire away!
Re: How does a young girl defend herself?
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:46 pm
by Jericho941
Find a more practical alternative to TKD.
Re: How does a young girl defend herself?
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:51 pm
by George guy
Re: How does a young girl defend herself?
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:14 am
by Yogimus
1. Give up on any and all pretense of the way things "should" work
2. Stay with friends
3. Learn how to say "No" early and often.
Re: How does a young girl defend herself?
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:20 am
by Weetabix
Jericho941 wrote:Find a more practical alternative to TKD.
She's doing it as a social activity right now. What is a more practical alternative?
Re: How does a young girl defend herself?
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:24 am
by Weetabix
Yogimus wrote:1. Give up on any and all pretense of the way things "should" work
2. Stay with friends
3. Learn how to say "No" early and often.
I pretty much already stress those. Right now, I'm thinking about what to do when you've done what you should, but shit has happened anyway.
Re: How does a young girl defend herself?
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:27 am
by Weetabix
Hm….. And I owe you some email.
Re: How does a young girl defend herself?
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 1:09 am
by Jered
A walking stick?
Re: How does a young girl defend herself?
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 1:11 am
by JKosprey
Weetabix wrote:Jericho941 wrote:Find a more practical alternative to TKD.
She's doing it as a social activity right now. What is a more practical alternative?
Krav Maga?
Re: How does a young girl defend herself?
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 1:25 am
by randy
Jericho941 wrote:Find a more practical alternative to TKD.
To some extent I don't think the style means as much as the mindset. Darlin' Daughter took Karate for 5 years and stopped short of her brown belt due to being a little burned out and not ready for the intensity of dedication needed to proceed higher in testing.
However, she has picked up (or had reinforced, I hope I planted the original seeds) a refuse to be victimized mind set, is pretty good at situational awareness (for a female teen), and has no problem with going on the offense if required. (they just recently had another discussion about response to an active shooter at her school, and reports some of her classmates find her attitude "scary"
). All more important than the particular style.
Twice that I know of, her attitude and demonstrated skill (going into a fighting stance/blocking position and moving out of a corner) have stopped situations at school before they developed.
She's already taking it for granted that she's getting her CCW when she turns 21.
That being said, I have heard that Krav Maga is a "more practical" style. Just watch out (as with any martial arts) for the schools more interested in ego stroking the instructor, looking good and style, or tournament success than individual development.