Why self-defense?

[jubaji]

Good. Let that be your last attempt at exaggeration.

[Dave Dickey]

Jubaji, I have to wonder why even after my suggestion to move on you still felt the need to get in a dig about my comments and then have the nerve to tell me to let it go? It would seem from the get go you took issue with my "version" if you will, of my own personal experiences and found it necessary to voice your opinion about how I was exagerating. You profile tells me nothing of who you are or where you are, so I cannot confirm if you know me or not.

The area in question has certainly changed over the last 40 years so it is not the violent place I grew up in. But unless you lived there when I did and grew up within 2 miles of me, you would have no way of knowing that.

I was willing to let this go but you insist for some reason I am sure none of us know on calling me on my "memories". However, I will take the high ground here and make this my last response on this.

[jubaji]

Jubaji, actually I did not "over exagerate" MY experience at all. For you to challenge my remarks is not only off topic but would imply that you grew up with me and knew different....

I know the area. You DID exaggerate, but I understand the point you were trying to make. Let it go.

[Dave Dickey]

Jubaji, actually I did not "over exagerate" MY experience at all. For you to challenge my remarks is not only off topic but would imply that you grew up with me and knew different...which is obvious that you did not. For the sake of the topic I strongly suggest we move on and address the original question only.

[jubaji]

Jubaji, not sure where you grew up or when. Just relating my experience and the influence it has on my reply to the original question.

I understand, and that's fine, but you exaggerrated more than a little with "it was not "are you going to get mugged" it was "have you been today?" A buddy of mine used the analogy "it's like the old west". " that's all. I get the point you were making and it's a valid one.

[Dave Dickey]

Jubaji, not sure where you grew up or when. Just relating my experience and the influence it has on my reply to the original question.

[jubaji]

Some rough spots there, but not the war zone you described.

[Dave Dickey]

Hey Jubai, Natick and Framingham.....

[KirkhamsEbooks.]

Slightly OT due to Dave's comment but another example is child proofing your home

When I grew up if I stuck my finger in the electric socket it was because I was a dumb kid. Now if a child sticks his/her finger in the electric socket it's because the parents didn't child proof the house.

I've jokingly told my friends we're devolving due to this because these kids are now reproducing.

Rick

[jubaji]

I am 52 and grew up in a rough area just outside of Boston Mass. To sum it up it was not "are you going to get mugged" it was "have you been today?" A buddy of mine used the analogy "it's like the old west". SO...I learned to fight from my older brother at age 9. .

Where exactly?

[Dave Dickey]

My humble opinion....

This a great question that has many answers, and of course I have my own.
I am 52 and grew up in a rough area just outside of Boston Mass. To sum it up it was not "are you going to get mugged" it was "have you been today?" A buddy of mine used the analogy "it's like the old west". SO...I learned to fight from my older brother at age 9. I have, over the years, studied many styles but never for the direct reason of "self-defence". I always looked at it as an enhancement to my fighting ability.

I honestly feel that over the years the American culture has become "softer". The feminization of our culture has sparked many trends that have lead to our young feeling helpless and vunerable. Try to humor me on this....

Dodgeball is taken out of school because someone might get hurt. Kids wear bicycle helmets because someone might get hurt. And adults are told they should as well....These are just two examples. There are far too many to mention here. But it is these kinds of cultural changes and some of the money hungry dojo owners that scare people into thinking they need "self-defence" classes. When in reality all we really need to do is to get back to the days when you got your ass beat for doing the wrong thing instead of a time out. And when respect was earned and not just expected. No one takes responsiblity for their actions because no one makes them.

Once we return to the "spine" that made America great, I feel you will see a lot less people taking "self-defence" classes as opposed to "studying martial arts".

I myself wish more people would rant about this....and of course this is all just my humble opinion.

Thanks for the time.

Again, I agree, and most of self-defence can be summed up by the old quote "avoid arseholes and egos", as you have outlined in your post.

However, the last time I had to step in and restrain someone was on the tube going to work, sometimes its just totally random.

Thats not to say that I walk around worrying about it, or even think about it anymore, just saying that sometimes it crops up.

[WildWest.]

Why self defence?

Because I'm a cop.

Because we don't carry guns day to day in my country.

Because I need to practice verbally diffusing situations.

Because I need to learn pre-contact indicators.

Because I need to train environmental awareness.

Because I have to train as close to reality as possible i.e. I don't do my job in bare feet, wear gloves or little shorts.

Because I have trained extensively in MT and boxing and will not get away with using those techniques in a close quarter fight.

Because most fights start from close to very close range.

Because grappling on the ground will get my head kicked in.

Because, despite what some may think, RBSD training can be very very hard and intense.

Because I have to win.

But I have found that blending into society is the best defense against violence. I don't attract it. I blend in. If you saw me, you would forget me

Good post. I agree that from a personal, SELF defence point of view, this is a very sound approach.

One thing I am always keen to add to any topic around defence against violence is that it can be, quite commonly, not actually violence against yourSELF. When I think of the confrontations I have been involved in over the last ten years they have mostly been when I have intervened and stopped an act of violence on another person.

Like Mr Arieson, people tend to leave me alone. I do however seem to have a nack of being around when someone wants to take a pop at someone else. In most of these instances just a visible and verbal projection of confidence and strength seems to back most people down. When it has turned physical, the simple meat and potatoes basics are always the best approach, without overdoing it or making it unnecessarily contrived.

So from the point of view of the fact that I have had the opportunity to step in an help a few people, who may otherwise have been seriously harmed if the situation had been allowed to escalate, I think training to have some functional defensive skills carries a worthy benefit that goes beyond just worrying about SELF defence.

[george stando]

Self awareness is a tremendous attribute of self defense training as well as the ability to develop a certain inner calm to access the moment. I come from a ring based backround and I enjoy my combatics training for that reason, its a different set of skills in a different environment or multitiude of environments, also like being water, fitting in and dealing with elements because you are there and have to, its usually not of your own making(time of day, environment, elements).