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From: jps@stcvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: (public anger .. attacks/harrassment) Self Defense (long)
Message-ID: <343@stcvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 19-Dec-84 11:47:48 EST
Article-I.D.: stcvax.343
Posted: Wed Dec 19 11:47:48 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 22-Dec-84 01:46:24 EST
Organization: Storage Technology Corp.  Louisville, CO
Lines: 63

>
> 	I retract my last sentence, and will instead propose a better
> solution: Take a self-defense class. This will not only help against
> an actual attack, it will increase your self-confidence and thereby lessen
> your fears (if you have them) of the possibility of attack. Not a complete
> solution to the problem, I agree, but better than replacing constant
> fear with constant anger.
> 

BOO, HIIISSSSSS.  NO, this is a well-meaning but very *bad* suggestion.
Self-defense classes can be grossly simplified to 2 forms: formal martial
arts classes and rape-defense classes.  Neither of these are a good idea.

	1. Formal martial arts classes require alot of practice and much
	   dedication.  You probably shouldn't/couldn't feel confident with
	   you ability to defend yourself for at least six months to a year
	   of intense training.  Sure they can teach you a trick or two in
	   the first couple of weeks but the willingness to actually do it
	   and the presence of mind required to not f**k it up take *MUCH*
	   longer.

	2. Many formal martial arts classes will leave you totally unprepared
	   to deal with an actual combat situation. I speak from experience.
	   I was lucky enough to have trained in an "old world" okinawian
	   school when I first started the martial arts.  They knew how to
	   prepare one for actual combat! Sparring was *real* in that 
	   school! You knew what it was like to give a real punch or kick
	   and what it was like to receive one and still continue fighting.  
	   (My broken arm and countless bruises lay testiment to the realness
	   of the sparring!). Since then I have been in and out of about
	   6 or 7 other schools and I know for a fact that a very small 
	   percent of these people could ever actually defend themselves
	   against anything more threatening than a 4 year old kid with a
	   butter knife. 

	   At one school they believed in "no contact" sparring. There was
	   a woman there that was trying to "learn how to defend herself"
	   and when she sparred she had her hands at her side and she lead
	   with her jaw. And this woman was almost a black belt!!!!!!

	3. Rape classes aren't workable for reason #2 also but in addition
	   they have the tendancy to be inappropriately *ruthless*.  They
	   take the attitude that the only way that a woman can defend 
	   herself is by maiming or killing her attacker!!! They think 
	   nothing of teaching ineffably dangerous techniques to be used
	   as a first defense without qualifying who they teach it to or
	   providing a moral paradigm. This is *HORRIBLY* immoral and
	   irresponsible!!!!  In prior days such teachers would have been 
	   hunted out and discipled or killed by more "responsible" masters.


It is perfectly obvious that a problem exists here but in the search for
a defense against animals, please do not become as bad if not worse than they.


-- 
Chapter-11/Multiple-Mega-Layoff Survivor (for now...)

Jeffrey P. Snover  -  STC StorageTek (Disk Division)
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