What are your thoughts on your child using self defense.

I think if you have to defend yourself, you can. The problem is, it often escalates. And kids need skills to diffuse fights, not escalate them.

My mom always raised us that way, it was never our resort but she told us that if anyone bothers us and hits us first we were allowed to hit back and she wouldn’t be mad getting us from school over it. To this day none of us have ever needed to thankfully but we knew we had our moms support when it came to self defense

My son is going to learn when he's older that violence is the last resort, but we will never be upset with him for defending himself, and how to assess situations properly. Unfortunately, sometimes it's the only thing that makes the change. Both my husband and I know that from experience. We plan to put him in kickboxing/jiu-jitsu at this gym near where we live, it's run by an ex MMA fighter, and the youth program teaches self-defense, but also de-escalation and social skills.

My husband put his son, my SS, in muay thai after he was attacked on the school bus. Mind you he was 10 at the time, the kid banged his head against the window until his head split open. He had to get stitches and the school didn't do anything about it. The kid didn't get into trouble or anything. Said there wasn't enough evidence or some crap like that. So yeah, we tell our kids anyone tries to bully or hit you, let them know your not one to mess with.

I know it can be less of a worry for boys, but I know many girls get assaulted and dismissed until they hit back. Happened to my mother, to me, to many girls. That's also why I want my son, and if I have a daughter, to know self-defense. My son will also know we will never be upset at him for defending someone else if nothing else works.

I think that depends on how old they are and what their temperament is. Self-defense is important, but it’s not usually hitting back. It’s more so a reflex of deflection or even running away. If the child is old enough for self-defense class that would be a great route to take. Toddlers shouldn’t be taught to hit and be taught not to hit. If I see another small child hit mine I would interfere immediately, but my child is a toddler. Once they are older it is different.

I was always told as a kid not to start fights, and to always look for nonviolent ways to resolve problems, but if someone gets physical with me, I was allowed to defend myself, and finish the fight. I was allowed to defend others as well, and any unprompted assault on someone else was as good as an assault on me. And honestly through adulthood that's served me well. I had a boy twice my size try to assault me in 4th grade and I kicked his ass. I've had people try to mug me and pull a knife on me and I laughed at them because I know what I'm capable of and I know there wasn't anyway they could win that fight (also helped I was wearing body armor because I was walking from my work to where my motorcycle was parked). Ive had to deck a neonazi after he was trying to push some poor kid over the railings at a mall. I don't start shit, I always look for a nonviolent solution, but I also know how to and am thoroughly capable of defending myself if and when needed. And that's how I'm gonna raise my son to be too.