Originally Posted by Yinboxer

You arent doing the women any favors for their self defense training if you are "going light" on them because they are girls. If they are attacked on the street and are used to guys "going light" on them, they will be in for a rude awakening. I am not saying that you need to wail the crap out of them, but it would be nice if you would be helpful and give them at least a semi-realistic attack.

As for the girls going full force and wailing the crap out of you, perhaps your defense needs work! Seriously, though, here's a story: After I had been training for about 6 months, my instructor told me that the guys were complaining to him that I hit too hard! He basically told them to give up the macho bullshit and that they should tell me themselves (of course, they didnt). The fact is, I had no idea that I was actually hurting anybody! Years of conditioning to the idea that a girl can't hurt you when she hits you had stuck. Maybe you should let them know, because they might not realize it. It may have nothing to do with her "insecurities." Societal conditioning works both ways. Men can be conditioned to not let a girl KNOW that what she is doing is working (punches, locks, etc.) "I Can't look like a wuss in front of the rest of the guys!" Communication between training partners is essential.