[PaulRyansew]

I voted somewhat, though I've never been in a fight. It's probably more important to carry yourself like you know how to fight and never get into one.

I had a very little bit of martial arts training. And of course things I picked up from movies:

• Primary target = groin
• Take the biggest guy in the world, shatter his knee and he'll drop like a stone.
• The eyes are the groin of the head. (OK, that wasn't a movie.)

Or you could just pull out a .44 magnum and say in a raspy voice, "Go ahead. Make my day." But then you better hit what you aim at.

[XzBZB2UV]

Well, I've been in several fights, haven't lost any of them.

I'm a firm believer if you are going to fight you should strike first. Decide well ahead of time if you are going to do something, and what exactly you are going to do. Otherwise, walk away.

I remember one fellow who kept ragging on me to get into a fight, I just ignored him, until finally one day I lost my patience and broke his nose. One punch.

I got kept after school, but it was the sweetest 2 hours I ever had. He never bothered me after.

[Ad0i89Od]

All this talk of violence...........

~shudder~

[Golotop]

funny thing is even though I don't know how to fight, I never lost one. Only been in 2. One in elementary school, and one in high school. Both times I was provoked verbally and lost my cool. In both cases neither guy retaliated. I really caught them off guard.

Despite this I was bullied in elementary school (never after). I can't remember that time frame very much, but don't think I was ever bullied after my first fight. But I changed schools, so I doubt anyone remember my fight. And I think the one fat cuban kid who bullied me changed schools or something. I never saw him much (think my brother had a word with him though).

No one hardly messes with me. Actually no one pays me much attention in general. Which is a good thing for keeping out of trouble. Thing is women don't pay any attention to me either. If I go to a bar, I never catch one looking at me. It just never happens.

[bumxumer]

that would test my fighting skills for sho

[Hokimjers]

Knowing how to fight is good, but it's smarter to avoid situations where fighting is necessary.

A parent wanting their child to learn how to fight is normal I'd say. Discipline and responsibility are traditionally values people have to learn before a master will fully teach them. A properly trained fighter would only fight in life or death situations, which pretty much means never for us in the western world.

[Adamanta]

I live near white people, but they may be a minority where I am.

Anyway, knowing how to fight can be good for self-confidence. Actually fighting can be a bad thing, since you never know what you may be up against.

[whatisthebluepill]

Training in a form of martial arts can impart a number of desirable qualities, yes. Least among them, however, is the knowledge of "how to fight".

I was in a fair few fights at a school age. In adulthood, I've been in a fight situation twice.

The first, the person attempting to mug me decided it was a better idea to leave us alone.

The second, I've always found that when confronted by several individuals, taking out the person doing the talking tends to disrupt the other's willingness to get involved.

[Clesylafabada]

Primary target = groin

You could also hit the forehead, nose, chin, veins to the brain, sternum, ribs, abdomen, kidneys, knees, the sides of the leg just above the knees, etc...

[UpperMan]

Not sure. I would feel more comfortable if I knew my kid knew how to fight, preferably mixed martial arts as well. However, it depends on the kid, I mean if he/she is a total idiot, this might launch them into fights they wouldn't have otherwise gotten into.

So it's a double thingie, yes, learn how to fight but more importantly learn how to stay away from them.

But it's like Ben says, there are two types of people when it comes to fighting. Most are scared and think all the horrible ways they'll get beaten. And the rest are scared but think about what to do to the other one. And that's the big difference. The rest is all heart. It is to function in a situation of danger and not freeze up and immobilize yourself. If you have to fight, it is better to fight hard and well. THis means, if you're going to get it, it's better to not get beaten too badly.

As long as it's not a thing where the kid learns to fight well, and then because of that becomes a bully. That's the biggest no no in my books. Then you just created a new ******* to the world to torment others.

THere are bigger things to learn. Like for example, that you can defend yourself. And you should defend yourself, don't let others dictate how you should live, walk or what clothes you should wear. Don't let them get to you. If they threaten, then defend yourself. Win or lose, you stood up for yourself and that's what really counts later in life. To acknowledge certain level of fear, to accept it, and to keep appreciating yourself and be strong headed, to go for the things you want to go, to go for the dreams you have and not let others pressure or threaten you with violence. To feel comfortable in that zone is the lesson I want my kids to learn. Not necessarily to fight per se, but to be able to walk their own line, and not back down from their dreams, not give bullies any more ammunition, but to stand up for yourself and handle fear.

[jeraveike]

And you claim to be a christian I wasn't then.

I've not been in a fight, oh, I'd say for 15 years now.

[globjgtyf]

And you wouldn't like Ben when he's angry.

[R1king]

couldn't agree more

Huh? Weren't it your people who invented krav maga?

[WenPyclenoWex]

Krav maga?? What is??

[veizKinquiz]

Jew Kung-fu. It's very effective in messing up your opponent.

Krav maga is a code name. It's actually known as Jew-Jitsu within the IDF and the practitioners are known as Ninjews. Of course each ninjew is armed with a throwing star of david.

[ExpodoDop]

I still don't buy it. I'd rather run than fight. I don't care if people call me a *****. At least I don't have a lawsuit on my hands.

Criminals will always have the advantage, and they will always get sympathy from the pathetic liberal population. You will get sued. So just run!

[anconueys]

I think this is an issue that's a little similar to my feelings on gun ownership.

In principle, I'm against it. In an ideal world, with a justice system that functions fully, you shouldn't have to possess injuring or lethal force just to dissuade an attack.

In practice, I recognize this is not always the case. I think a lot of it depends on your circumstances. If you're living in a safe area, then I think the potential damage outweighs the potential benefit. But there are areas where a gun is important to safety and so the cost-benefit analysis shifts towards favoring ownership.

For martial arts, my views are even more relaxed. The amount of damage you can cause with misuse of your hands is still far less than what you might do with a misused gun. Plus the benefits go beyond the issues narrowly dealing with security: martial arts is one of the most well-rounded physical exercise activities you can take part in.

I'd hesitate to say it's "important" to know how to fight - although this goes straight back to the issue of how dangerous is the place where you live and how likely are you to need to defend yourself. I'd phrase it more as "regardless of the self-defence issues, the exercise benefits alone are very favorable".

I've done martial arts most of my life and I still wouldn't fancy my chances in a straight up fight. My goals would be much more towards surprising an attacker and then getting the hell away. The balance may be different for male practitioners though.