Equipped Physically and Mentally: Why We Should Teach Our Girls Self-Defense in School

I grew up with a uniquely naive mindset: I genuinely believed women ruled the world. My most formative years were spent at an all-girls school. It was nothing like the classic, catty environment that you are picturing from the movies. There was minimal drama and everyone genuinely rooted for each other. I felt empowered inside and outside the classroom, but had an inkling feeling that this feeling would not last forever. My teachers slowly started preparing us for the daunting ‘real world.’ In order to graduate from my high school, everyone had to pass a rigorous self-defense course. At the time, these courses felt like an inconvenience to fit into our schedule. I was much more interested in taking a ceramics or a contemporary dance class. However, the infamous Introduction to Self Defense with Coach Brown was required, so I took it. I understood the hypothetical advantage of taking this class, but could not fathom a world in which I would be in a situation where I would feel threatened enough to use these skills. I did not grow up in a small, sheltered town; I grew up in Los Angeles and have pretty solid street skills, if I do say so myself. Nevertheless, I had trouble wrapping my mind around how someone could be so evil and abusive to a harmless girl. Again, looking back, I cannot believe how naive I was. 

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I got to the University of Southern California and my fantasy world imploded almost immediately. I was shocked to find that a university a mere 10 miles away from where I went to high school could feel so scary and unfamiliar. I get notifications from USC’s Department of Public Safety about incidents of aggravated assaults nearly everyday. I hear stories about boys at fraternity parties drugging and taking advantage of vulnerable girls. Despite hearing all of this, I am not afraid. I am on-guard, but not afraid. Should I find myself physically threatened, I feel overwhelming confidence in my skills to defend myself… all because of this one self defense class I took in high school. 

 

However, I do not think most of my female peers would feel the same way. During my freshman year of college, I distinctly remember how terrified my roommates were to walk on Figueroa Street at any hour of the day. They were all from smaller, suburban communities around the country and were unequipped mentally and physically to live in a big city like Los Angeles. Additionally, none of them took self defense in high school. I was shocked to find this out. I thought to myself, “There is no way I was the only one…” My classmates from high school, on the other hand, almost all experienced a unique wave of confidence entering their new college towns. We were equipped in a way that, at the time, felt like a privilege, when now I am realizing, it is actually a necessity. After reflecting upon the ‘toolkit’ I had going into college, I urge high schools throughout the country to require their students, especially girls, to pass a self defense course before they graduate. 

 

There are a handful of core classes that high schoolers are typically required to take, like math, science, history and English. Additionally, students often sprinkle art, theater, and physical education classes into their schedules. Every school has its own rules, but one course that, no matter an individual student’s preference, everyone seems to take is sex education. According to the most recent data from SIECUS (an organization advocating for the benefit of sex education), 29 states and the District of Columbia require sex education as a part of their public schools’ curriculums. These states have already proven that they care about the protection and empowerment of their residents’ bodies, so I think adding a self defense course to their high schools’ curriculums is a natural next step. Self defense is as important of a course as sex education– both give students the tools to be physically safe and in control of their bodies. Though I attended a private school and understand that my administration had more leeway over our curriculum than a public school that must abide by its district’s own rules, the overwhelmingly positive outcome of our self defense program is a great reference for other institutions to model after. 

 

I am not the first one who has thought about introducing self defense into high school curriculums. According to an article published by the World of Self Defense, there are endless benefits to teaching children self defense mechanisms. Though this article attempted to weigh the pros and cons of requiring students to complete a self defense course in school, the author ultimately summed up their argument in one powerful statement: “Let’s be real here, it’s simple, what can be more important than the safety and life of your child? If a child is in a compromising situation, knowing any form of self defense (whether physical or just how to avoid situations) could be pivotal.” While teaching math, science, history, and English is certainly important for equipping students for a career, teaching self defense prepares students for the ‘real world.’ Growing up, my parents told me time and time again that I should never walk alone at night, to always cross the street when a man is behind me on the sidewalk, along with countless other precautions. Caroline Cunningham of the Washingtonian reiterated this sentiment, validating my cautionary uprising as a nearly universal experience for girls. Cunningham explains the list of rules that women are told to follow; she says, “Most of which start with ‘never’: Never go out alone at night. Never drink at parties. Never wear revealing clothing. Never talk to strangers.” Feeling confident physically is rare for a girl. The scary reality is that we, as women, are more vulnerable than men simply because of our gender. It is irresponsible for schools to turn a blind eye to this indisputable truth. If it is unfeasible to introduce self defense as a required course among all high school students, I would at least encourage schools to dedicate a unit to self defense within girls’ sex education classes. 

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Despite the overwhelming benefits of being equipped with self defense mechanisms, many are still hesitant to teach it to children. Ana Contreras of Medium Magazine explains that many schools believe teaching self defense would shatter the shielded environment that they try to foster. She goes on to say, “The child’s mentality can be affected, making him think that everything should be solved by fighting and in the future they can become aggressive.” Arguing that self defense would make children more aggressive is a weak argument. Self defense, in reality, is not merely about throwing punches. Modern self defense training, according to instructor Lauren Taylor of the Defend Yourself program in her interview with the Washingtonian, focuses on “boundary-setting, assertiveness, dealing with everyday things… be it street harassment or an overly boundary-crossing coworker.” This type of instruction emphasizes the importance of verbal self defense, like how to confidently say ‘stop touching me,’ ‘leave me alone,’ or simply ‘no!’ (Taylor). It is undeniable that teaching self defense would introduce children to the cruel reality of the world, but that is no reason not to teach it. It is better to equip them with the tools they need as opposed to giving them the false impression that they do not have to worry about their safety. Too much sheltering can ultimately cause more harm than good. 

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Upon reflection, this feeling of self-assurance in my physical space after taking a singular self defense course has helped me carry myself more confidently in general. I know how to use my voice and express myself without fear. Instructors at schools notice this personality shift in their students, as well. In an interview with K-12 Dive News, Gym teacher Charles Schweizer of Hicksville High School in New York explained the mental impact of teaching self defense to high schoolers. Schweizer says, “Their confidence grows. They become more willing to go beyond their normal comfort levels and overcome their fears.” Specifically for girls, there is a unique boost in confidence when you feel in control of your body and your personal safety. You can carry yourself without any (or with minimal) fear. You do not have to avoid doing certain activities, like walking to get an ice cream cone or going on a run. The world becomes a less scary place. Ideally, you would never have to use the skills you learned in your self defense class, but you can walk with confidence knowing that you are capable of defending yourself if needed. 

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The mental impact of teaching girls self defense is arguably more powerful than the physical impact. The odds that a girl would be more physically dominant than their predator are rather low, but when they are taught how to fight back and exit a dangerous situation safely, it is incredibly empowering and boosts self-esteem. There are opportunities to use the skills learned in self defense classes every day, not just when someone is attacked. The character building and interpersonal skills that are taught during self defense classes are often the most valuable takeaways. You learn how to be assertive, communicate effectively, and set boundaries. In an academic paper published by Frontiers in Psychology, Yanna J. Weisberg, Colin G. DeYoung, and Jacob B. Hirsh explain that women are naturally more reserved and hesitant to cause conflict. Due to their agreeable nature, it is incredibly beneficial for women to be presented with opportunities (like self defense classes) to learn how to advocate for themselves, as it can help them grow personally and professionally.

 

Arguing that if girls were curious about self defense, they could seek out their own classes is a weak and immature argument. The purpose of secondary education is to prepare students to enter the workforce and the world with confidence. Physical and sexual harassment is a prevalent issue and should not be ignored. While there is no way for schools to shelter their graduates from the dangers of the ‘real world,’ there is one thing they can control: their curriculum. Requiring the completion of a self defense course is a proven way to equip their graduates to enter the world with a new level of confidence and inner strength. Whether or not students realize it at the time, they will walk away with a range of skills that will be beneficial for the rest of their lives.