Do they really help w/discipline and self control? Also, do you feel your kids would be able to defend themselves if they were to be bullied? I took karate as an elective in college and I know that you are supposed to only use it as a last resort.

it has helped my oldest who tends to get wound up i simply ask him if he is in selfcontrol(one of the 5 tenants he has learned) he will usually stop and settle down also if he starts to lie(wich i can tell anyway) i will ask him is that very good integrity and he re evaluates what he is saying...

our acedemy teaches the children that taekwondo can be dangerous and that its not something you just do to someone. they do teach our kids self defense(and they teach a public self defense class) i think self defense and using taekwondo/karate moves on someone are two different things once you are a black belt you could kill someone with some of the techniques so it is serious. if your looking for something for bullying a self defense class would probably be a better choice martial arts are about the art itself and the discipline.

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SILENCE IS GOLDEN BUT DUCK TAPE IS SILVER.

I think it all depends on the school and instructors. I have seen several children in our school that have learned self-discpline. My chidren started so young that we didn't experience discipline issues with them.

In our school, the kids are taught at an age- and maturity-appropriate level. My children could absolutely defend themselves against a bully and against an adult trying to abduct or hurt them. We study a style where the student can choose the level of pain/harm they wish to inflict on their opponent. So, just because they used something they learned in karate class doesn't mean they mutilated someone. They may have just released someone's hold on them, but the older, more mature students also know how to break body parts, etc. They do a fair amount of their practice on adults, too.

Last summer, a male relative picked up oldest DS, then 10, to throw him in a lake. DS was able to "escape" using karate without inflicting any real damage to the relative.

Again, I think it's very important to research the schools in your area and find out what their theory and method for teaching children is.

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Homeschooling Mom to Daniel (13 Years), Andrew (10 Years), Stephen (8 Years) and Emily (4 Years)

Great question! I never thought of it that way, I have just been thinking of putting the boys in it for an activity for them to do. There are very few activities for boys (at least around here), everything around here is more for girls-dance class and gymnastics. Or anything else, they are not old enough for. There is a little basketball camp, but that only lasts for about one month.

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My DD who is 10 has been taking karate for the last 4 years can absolutely defend herself. As for self control and self discipline it isn't the insturctors job to teach your child those things. It will teach your child responsibility since they have to practice and bring their gear to each class.

As for self defense: My daughter and I were playing around the other day and I had her pinned to the ground (not hard of course) she flipped me over jumped up and was ready to do battle if I approached her. It was a proud moment for me. Four years of lessons and I know she can defend herself is she needs to. She is a peace lover so she takes alot but can and will defend herself if she has to.

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A Family of 5's quest to forget the Joneses.