(Approx 2 minute 5 second read)

A little while ago, I was approached by some of the moms of the younger students, asking if I would be interested in doing a self-defense course for them. None of them had ever practiced the martial arts before.
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Normally, I would encourage anyone to join our classes – I did try – but the consensus was that they wanted a female-only course.
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At this point, I had to explain why, based on experience, this approach was not ideal. I told them that they were more likely to be attacked by a male than another female. Their reason for wanting a women-only class was religious.
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Personally, I don’t care what religion you practice or follow; to me, this makes no difference. However, I did understand where they were coming from.
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We do have a high-ranking female instructor in our dojo, but for any kind of realism, there needs to be males involved. This isn’t about ego or gender – it’s about reality.
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Being the victim of a violent crime is rare, but it can happen, no matter where you live. Women are more likely to be assaulted and are often viewed as easier targets and it follows that women may have concerns about their personal safety.
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The key to safety and survival lies in how you prepare, think, and react. Even training in the martial arts will not help you if you don’t anticipate risk and are not psychologically ready to respond. This requires making a genuine effort to consider your options for lowering your risk of being a victim.
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All self-protection starts with awareness – knowing what’s happening around you. I wrote about this in a previous article.
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I would encourage women (or anyone really), to engage in anything that empowers you and improves self-confidence. Some shy away from these classes because they worry about their skill level, feel embarrassed, or, as in the case of the women I spoke to, have religious concerns.
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The most helpful self-defense classes should focus on both the physical and non-physical – avoiding risk in the first place, how to carry yourself, looking out for threats, and having a general escape plan.
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A good dojo can help you become safety-aware, develop a vigilant mindset, understand body language and de-escalation, and learn defensive techniques for yourself and others.
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Many of the concepts taught in a good self-defense-focused martial arts class are transferable to any environment – but you have to choose wisely.
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Don’t get sucked in by the advertising. Watch a class, join in with your kids, and see if any of it makes sense to you. But please, understand the realities and give some thought to what will actually make you safer. The goal isn’t just to learn techniques – it’s to develop the awareness, mindset, and skills that truly enhance your safety.
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If you are not properly trained or prepared, or if you only train against only chosen opponents, techniques alone can become a liability rather than a safety mechanism.
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Stay aware. Be prepared. Take care out there.
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Written by Adam Carter