Is it time to hang up the pink tights?

By C.J. Doyle, Personal Safety Expert

It used to be that “sugar and spice and everything nice” came in one colour, pink. But times they are a changing. Girls aren’t just donning frilly tutus anymore. They are joining the martial arts. When I first started training in the martial arts, back in the 70’s, there was one or two women in classes and when I first started teaching in the mid 80’s it was about four in every ten people. Today there are more females than males training in classes and almost 50% of the people who earned their black belt are female!

And why shouldn’t they?  Benefits can range from physical strength to powerful, unstoppable confidence. This month, I will tell you why yesterday’s pink-clad girls look so great in black belts.

Not too long ago, the division was clear. Girls went to Ballet Class to learn grace and poise while boys joined karate schools to gain strength, power and focus. But somewhere along the line, girls got curious and parents became more open-minded. An increasing number of girls started asking their parents if they could join karate too. And more parents agree. While girls still participate in what are called “aesthetic activities,” those which focus on appearance, gracefulness and physique, karate can provide a refreshing option for girls who want to get physical.

A martial arts academy is a place where girls aren't judged on aesthetics, but rather, by what they can personally accomplish through focus, perseverance, practice, and strength of character.

The martial arts academies that are great for girls are typically great for all kids (and adults too!). They are what I like to call, “self-paced, individual-based, confidence-builders.”

A strong, character-based, martial arts program shouldn’t favour girls, but rather, give every student a fair chance to succeed. Favouritism and codling doesn’t help girls reach their potential; overcoming obstacles and challenges does.

Appropriately challenging academies can be the place where girls cultivate the confidence that breeds lifelong success.

These academies provide girls with goals, role models, and the discipline they need to achieve in every area of their lives.

A strong, character-based martial arts program shouldn't favour girls, but rather, give every student a fair chance to succeed. Whether the martial arts academy is competitive or not, girls, just like boys, can stand up tall, crawl down low, roll around and yell (something that I call using their voice alarm) as loud as they want. Whether power is harnessed into a punch, a block or a kick, girls can show that they can mix it up with the boys any day!

Martial Arts Belt Ranking Solution

The martial arts ranking system is typically unrelated to competition or winning. Since martial arts academies attract many different types of students, moving through the ranks is based on effort, technique time trained and personal improvement. Someone else's success doesn't lead to another person's failure. The absence of internal competition can foster a sense of teamwork, where girls are able to support one another.

Sparring

Whether a girl is sparring in class or competing in forms or grappling tournament, rest assured that the outcome won't be based on appearance. In martial arts, high scores in competition and sparring are based on technical points and domination. Winners can be tall and thin or short and stout. Body appearance doesn't factor into the judging.

More-Than-Physical Solution

Girls have to contend with countless messages each day which tell them they’re not “good enough,” “smart enough,” pretty enough” or “thin enough” to succeed.

Magazines and TV feature impossibly skinny supermodels next to “back-to-school” diet plans and tips for getting their bodies into “bikini-bearing” shape. It’s enough to make even the most secure girls crack.

So how does the martial arts offer a safe haven to girls in a society that tells them “thinner is the winner?”

Martial arts teaches girls both the fundamentals of self-defense and the ability to avoid dangerous situations. Aside from pure combative self-defense, it shows girls how to stand to portray a sense of confidence. Many martial arts skills take perseverance, determination, focus and discipline to master. It's not enough to have the best physical curriculum, great students and strong girls are built from inside out.

In conclusion, Martial arts provide girls with the opportunity to achieve, connect, develop and thrive in several unique ways. Any girl, of any shape or size, can rise through a host of coloured-belt ranks while building physical and mental assuredness. She can become strong in body as well as in character. Martial arts help girls realize that they can be girly, assertive, tough, kind and strong all rolled into one. This power can help girls cope with everyday physical, mental, and emotional challenges, stand up to possible dangers, and become an assertive leader.

It's nice to know that martial arts provides girls with a host of other colors, instead of pink, for which to strive!

With all my articles there is an open invitation to you, your family and children to participate in a free week of classes at the Academy of Martial Arts.

Have a fine 2009!

Stay safe,

C. J. Doyle  

Mr. Doyle is a 30 year veteran of the martial arts. He has been teaching and educating men, women and children of Mississauga since 1986.  He is married and he and his wife, Lesa (also a black belt) , and have two children, Charles (13) and Alexsandra (9).