{"id":2448,"date":"2022-11-27T16:38:54","date_gmt":"2022-11-27T16:38:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.njtraininggrounds.com\/bjj-in-nj\/?p=2448"},"modified":"2022-11-27T16:38:54","modified_gmt":"2022-11-27T16:38:54","slug":"reasons-martial-arts-are-bad-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.njtraininggrounds.com\/bjj-in-nj\/reasons-martial-arts-are-bad-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Reasons Martial Arts Are Bad for Kids (& What to Do About Them)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Much has been said and written about the benefits of martial arts training for kids. Martial arts teach kids self-defense skills. They also teach life lessons kids need to succeed, such as respect, self-discipline, perseverance, determination, and courage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advocates of <\/span>kids martial arts<\/span><\/a> rarely discuss the cons of such training. However, it\u2019s known that there is a ying for every yang. Since the cons of kids martial arts training are hardly mentioned, many parents often question the sincerity of martial arts advocates. That is, people extolling the benefits of martial arts are often seen as telling only one side of the story.<\/span><\/p>\n

Martial arts are often considered bad for children because they may give a false sense of security, they can be dangerous, children may use acquired skills wrongly, and classes can be expensive.<\/b><\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll look at this other side of the story by outlining four reasons martial arts may be considered bad for kids.<\/span><\/p>\n

This discussion will look deeper into these \u201creasons why martial arts are bad\u201d and what you can do about them. It\u2019ll reveal what you can do to minimize any negative effects of martial arts training. The goal is to help you make sure your children reap optimum benefits from their training.<\/span><\/p>\n

Martial arts may give kids a false sense of security<\/span><\/h2>\n

The techniques of most martial arts programs are not very effective in real-world attacks. So, children taking martial arts lessons often get a false sense of security, believing they are safe when they are not.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Martial arts are codified systems of combat taught primarily for self-defense. The arts promote themselves as teaching skills that allow children to protect themselves and their loved ones from trouble.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, a kid with good BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) skills will easily take a larger opponent to the ground. Also, a kid with good boxing skills will outstrike an aggressor.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the techniques that most martial arts teach are ineffective in real-world attacks like kidnapping situations. Worse still, young martial artists may believe they can handle themselves in such situations. This will push them into deploying their martial arts skills in dangerous situations, thereby putting themselves in harm\u2019s way.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do to prevent martial arts from giving kids a false sense of security<\/span><\/h3>\n

Know that martial arts do not teach children to stand up for a fight in every situation. Good martial arts instructors will also teach children soft skills that help in different real-world attack situations.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, programs consisting of situational and threat awareness, avoidance, de-escalation, and escape skills are perfect for personal protection. To prevent martial arts from giving kids a false sense of security, choose academies and programs that focus on these personal protection lessons.<\/span><\/p>\n

Martial arts can be dangerous for kids<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Martial<\/p>\n

Many martial arts carry risks of injury, ranging from minor sprains to serious head injuries like concussions.<\/b><\/p>\n

Martial arts involve risky movements. These include direct blows to the head, strikes to different parts of the body, repetitive head tests to the floor, and choking. These movements may result in injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a martial arts class, students use protective equipment like soft helmets, mouth guards, face guards, etc. However, injuries are inevitable. Studies show that <\/span>injury rates vary from 41 to 133 injuries for every 1,000 martial artists<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most martial arts injuries are minor, like bruises and sprains. However, serious injuries like suffocation, concussion, and spine damage can also occur.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do to prevent martial arts from being dangerous for kids<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some martial arts are inherently riskier than others in terms of getting injured. So, you can make the training safe for your kids by choosing safer martial arts like BJJ and Tae kwon do.<\/b><\/p>\n

In terms of injury risk, martial arts are not different from traditional sports. The risk of injury is a reality in virtually every sport. However, some sports are riskier than others in terms of getting injured. For example, your children are less likely to get injured playing golf than skateboarding.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s the same with martial arts. Injuries are realities when learning martial arts. However, some martial arts are riskier than others in terms of injuries. You can significantly reduce the risk of injury by opting for relatively safer martial arts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art with a low risk of injury. Unlike many other martial arts, BJJ does not include striking, punching, and kicking. Instead, it focuses on grappling and submission holds. Interestingly, BJJ movements still provide the physical and mental health benefits of martial arts practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, if injury risks are serious concerns for you, some martial arts that you should avoid are boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), Muay Thai (Thai boxing), and Karate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kids may use their martial arts skills to harm other kids<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Kids<\/p>\n

The skills learned in martial art classes can be used to cause physical harm. So, parents often worry that learning martial arts will make their kids more violent.<\/b><\/p>\n

Children practicing martial arts reap a lot of physical benefits. They boost physical fitness and improve motor skills, improving muscle strength, flexibility, and balance. Kids also learn different movements and maneuverability skills. These skills are invaluable not only for self-defense but also for attack.<\/span><\/p>\n

Martial arts teach these skills for bully-preventing. However, bully-preventing can go both ways. Many kids will use the skills to defend themselves. However, kids with violent behavior may turn around to bully other students. That is, martial arts may make aggressive kids become more skillful fighters.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do to prevent young martial artists from using their skills to harm others<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Interestingly, small children become less violent as their martial arts skill level increases. Children do not simply learn fighting skills without \u201ccontrols\u201d to check them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Martial arts emphasize self-control, discipline, mutual respect, and emotional regulation. Because of the emphasis on proper behavior, the chance of your kid using martial arts skills to harm others is more likely to reduce than increase.<\/span><\/p>\n

Apart from emphasizing proper behavior, martial arts also provide a controlled environment to release pent-up emotions.<\/span><\/p>\n

To prevent your kids from using martial arts to become skillful fighters, register with a dojo that is an environment of discipline.<\/span><\/p>\n

Martial art classes can be expensive\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Martial<\/p>\n

The cost of martial arts classes varies, depending on the martial art. However, <\/b>costs can be as high as $350 a month for kids-friendly martial arts like BJJ<\/b><\/a> and Tae Kwon Do. Thus, another disadvantage of martial arts for kids is the high cost of the training.<\/b><\/p>\n

You will incur other costs in addition to the dojo\u2019s service fees. Some of these costs include:<\/span><\/p>\n