One in three women suffers violence, WHO global study finds

[marions ghost]

81. Ideally boys would be trained not to abuse

but that is not what is happening generally. I don't think we're going back to the age of chivalry (not that it was so great anyway) anytime soon. Social behavior will need to be re-defined for a new age. Of course I agree that self-defense training is not the ONLY strategy

I think it will take decades, if not centuries, to turn around these sexist predatory attitudes. They are deeply engrained in our society, not to mention even more oppressive cultures. One day this will be history--I'm an optimist about it and believe in fighting against any sort of abuse and exploitation directly and as hard as possible--but the fight is a long one. The reality is that we have to think self-protection at this point in time, for women who voluntarily go out with or marry men but are then abused (not talking about child abuse and pedophiles). I am talking about not being quite so vulnerable.

I have said a couple of times here, that IMO self-defense training is good for everybody. It teaches discipline and self-control, and helps with anger management. But if you were to train girls as a matter of course in basic self-defense (not talking about anything that calls for special athleticism)--it sends a very important message. It sends the message that women are not going to be easily victimized. It sends the message to the girls and to others that --"society has your back." It sends the message that girls can be strong and can set boundaries for themselves--and I mean mentally strong. This is not merely about physical self-defense.

I think many people are misunderstanding my points here. So I guess I'll just have to hang it up. I had hoped to get some supporters but maybe a lot of people don't understand the meaning of self-defense training. It's very empowering in a lot of ways, for anyone who experiences it. I would like to see more girls exposed to it at about middle school age. Statistics tell us that they will encounter
some sort of exploitation or abuse as young women. If boys can be taught to respect girls & women more, that would be great too, but women need to have strategies in case they don't. It would help the whole situation IMO.

This is as clear as I know how to be.