Teaching women

 
Photo: BoutReviewUSA.com

I like Gary Moro's post, "Who Says Women Can’t Fight" at Yachigusa Ryu featuring video of a female MMA fighter, and his respect for female martial artists in general:

Over the years, I’ve read numerous articles debating whether women belong in the martial arts, whether they can compete with men, and the pros and cons of men training with women. I assume that those that believe women have no place training in the martial arts don’t realize that there have been many notable women warriors throughout history. Even the creation of the art of Wing Chun is credited to a woman named Yim Wing Chun (Beautiful Springtime).

I, for one, have never understood these debates. So when I teach women, I teach them exactly like I teach the men. I give them no preferential treatment, and I expect them to perform techniques just like the men do. No “Dojo Bunnies” are allowed.

While the argument that men are physically stronger on average is true, my experience has shown me that women compensate by becoming more technically oriented. This doesn’t mean that any woman could go toe to toe with any man in a fight, but it doesn’t mean they don’t have a chance either. All factors being equal, I don’t see why a woman can't beat a man.

In fact, I know a few women martial artists I wouldn’t want to fight with, and that I would be extremely happy to see coming to my aid in a real a street fight. To be perfectly honest, I was once saved from being thrown off the top of a water tower by my female police partner: she grabbed the suspect’s testicles and pinned him to the ground without ever losing her grip. Now that is technique over brawn. I bet the bad guy is still singing soprano to this day.

Mr. Moro gives a couple of examples of female martial artists prowess, including the video clip of Satoko Shinashi's MMA bouts. Awesome skill! Head over and read the rest.

How should we treat female students? It may seem an odd question for some, but it deserves an answer. I believe we should treat females no differently than male students, with only a few caveats.

The is that female are more at risk of violent attack than men, not numerically, but are probably less prepared to handle it physically or emotionally. Women are taught to act "like ladies," and less inclined to sports, specifically contact sports, where we learn to handle the impact bodies crashing against on another, of checks, tackles, blocks, or takedowns. Few are the girls who grow up wrestling in the living room with their siblings or dads until mom breaks it up, lest they break some furniture. Men have a certain competitiveness that's expected of them. In women it's got to be encouraged and nurtured. All of this social conditioning leaves our sisters, mothers, daughters, and wives unprepared for someone who wants to do them harm.

I believe it's the duty of all martial arts instructors to teach effective techniques, and tailor them for their students body types, disposition, and capabilities. Specifically, treating women no differently than a male student of their size and age is a requisite step in preparing them to face male attackers. I agree with Moro; don't shortchange your female students, or yourself by treating them differently.