Why women's self defense classes?

The social emotional significance behind exclusively women's self defense education.

Women's self-defense classes serve a crucial purpose in empowering women and equipping them with specific skills and concepts tailored to their unique strengths and vulnerabilities.

But in my opinion the phrase "female empowerment" has become excessively used in the martial arts industry.

It is remarkable how trends in women's self defense have shifted in just a mere five years.

Then, most of the male dojo owners and martial arts practitioners viewed my emphasis on women-centered classes as dramatic, alarmist, an exaggerated call to action for violence prevention. When we traveled to major cities across the country at our own expense to teach self defense classes for women for no cost in most cities, it was regarded with heavy skepticism. To our board it made perfect sense that we would cater to the demographics who in greatest need of not just protection, but education. Martial arts dojos are a dime a dozen and the sheer number of female survivors I have met across the country who have training in a variety of martial arts, including American Based Krav Maga taught in Karate Schools is staggering.

But it made us all the more determined to make an impact on gender based violence and disrupt the way traditional women's self defense classes were taught.

Still, it was an uphill climb. As Krav Maga has become internationally known for its brutal nature, street fights, groin strikes, and hyper masculine stock photography, the idea of incorporating evidence based violence prevention strategies and a self defense program with hands on training which emphasizes psychology, personal awareness, and medicolegal facets of safety was far-fetched. In clinical psychology and violence prevention root cause is crucial.

Moreover, even the best martial arts classes are merely physical management of a larger issue. As every professional protector understands, incident prevention is the real goal and tactical management means entering a physical engagement with absolutely no guarantees.

We knew that it was imperative to underscore the significance of personal safety and violence prevention awareness, particularly for women and girls. Ensuring one's well-being and understanding of relevant concerns is necessary for fostering a positive environment.

Research has consistently shown that women and girls are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence, with long-lasting physical, psychological, and social consequences (Srivastava, 2019).

Therefore, it becomes vital to teach our students about comprehensive safety measures and promote awareness of personal rights, communicating with administrators, law enforcement, and legal representation when faced with real life scenarios.

Studies have highlighted the correlation between personal safety culture and the overall well-being of women and girls.

By creating a culture of safety and self-efficacy, institutions and organizations can promote the emotional and physical well-being of their female members (Robinson et al., 2017). Incorporating violence prevention programs, self-defense training, and establishing effective reporting mechanisms can equip women and girls with the knowledge and tools required to navigate potential threats securely (Banday & Andrabi, 2020).

Moreover, fostering an environment that encourages bystander intervention and actively addresses any instances of harassment or violence sends a clear message that personal safety and empowerment are paramount (UN Women, 2021). By prioritizing these principles, we are able to create an optimal learning environment and peer group in which to build self-efficacy, personal value, and a strong core identity; all attributes of harder targets of violence.

This shift in attitude reflects a greater social awareness regarding violence and reflects the awareness of trauma. Trauma Informed is another catch phrase we are beginning to see more frequently in self defense classes. Unfortunately, the quality and methodology behind many of these female empowerment self defense classes frequently leaves much to be desired.

As a survivor of violent crime, Criminal Behavior Analyst, and defensive tactics instructor I believe self defense classes claiming a Trauma Informed moniker should operate under specific criteria. (See our blog post for criteria of Trauma Informed Self Defense™).

Crucial elements which are key to building a productive response under high pressure situations.

Serving survivors of violent crime and high risk professions working through PTSD and CPTSD is near and dear to my heart. Our classes creates a comfortable environment where women can learn and practice controlled aggression, self efficacy, and addresses the specific challenges we face most frequently. By providing a supportive community we are able to foster a sense of camaraderie necessary for positive community reinforcement.

Women-focused self-defense classes recognizes the importance of gender-specific training, as well as the emotional connections intertwined with safety. While many of these challenges are age as well as gender specific, Shaan Saar Krav Maga encourages all women to embrace their innate strengths. Further, we recognize that personal safety and security is not only a physical skill, but a social emotional one best learned in a positive class environment.

Psychology tells us that our brain is better able to process, encode, and recall information under specific conditions.

Therefore, prioritizing the social and emotional needs of women in education settings has a profound impact on learning and information processing.

When the body and mind are under duress it makes learning multi-sensory material exceedingly complex. As such, the environment at Shaan Saar Krav Maga Orlando has always been very specifically orchestrated and our methodologies of Evidence Based Self Defense™ and Trauma Informed Self Defense™ provide optimal learning opportunities. Both are based on years of academic and professional research, and combine the most effective elements of many martial arts, into concept driven self defenses mindful of biomechanics, offender psychology, and the study of violence.

Research consistently shown that learning and information processing are significantly enhanced in environments which are mindful of the social and emotional needs of students. When people feel safe, valued, and included, their cognitive abilities are boosted, leading to improved learning outcomes. According to a study by Durlak et al. (2011), creating this mindful, conscious space fosters a positive learning environment, allowing individuals to engage in deeper cognitive processing and critical thinking.

Moreover, the relationship between social-emotional factors and learning is supported by the work of Darling-Hammond et al. (2012), who emphasized the importance of providing emotional support and promoting a sense of belonging in educational settings. Over the years students have become connected to each other and actively participate in each other’s lives, share ideas, and develop lasting friendships. This emotional safety and sense of belonging create an optimal learning environment where individuals can effectively absorb and process information.

By creating exclusively female spaces, we not only enhance cognitive abilities but also promote deeper engagement, critical thinking, and meaningful learning experiences (Durlak et al., 2011; Darling-Hammond et al., 2012). It is imperative for educators, institutions, and professionals to recognize the significance of these factors and implement strategies that foster supportive environments for optimal learning outcomes.

What Are the Psychological Benefits of Learning Krav Maga Self Defense in Exclusively Women's Spaces?

Research has highlighted numerous psychological benefits associated with women learning and growing together in exclusively women's only spaces and it is our contention that these spaces extend to such vulnerable learning places as Krav Maga, No Gi JuJitsu, and basic physical self defense concepts in general.

It is well-documented that participating in intense physical activities within such spaces can have a profound impact on women's psychological well-being. According to a study by Smith and Johnson (2018), women engaging in physical activities in a supportive, women-only environment experience increased self-confidence, a sense of empowerment, and improved self-esteem. This can be attributed to the creation of a safe and inclusive space that fosters trust and camaraderie among participants.

Furthermore, the psychological benefits of women engaging in self-defense training extend beyond increased self-confidence. Research by Brown and Wilson (2016) has shown that these training programs provide a unique opportunity for women to develop a greater sense of assertiveness and self-efficacy. Learning self-defense techniques in a women-only setting allows participants to overcome feelings of vulnerability and fear, while building resilience and a sense of control over our personal safety. These psychological benefits can have a profound and lasting impact on women's lives, both within and outside of the self-defense training environment.

Fostering positive, peer relationships among women in an exclusively female self defense class helps to solidify skill acquisition and sound mental health.

Building positive peer relationships while learning new skills is crucial for women as it provides a supportive environment that fosters personal growth while reducing stress and building resilience. According to a study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, social support can mitigate the harmful effects of stress on health by promoting positive emotions and coping strategies. Being part of a supportive community of peers allows women to share experiences, challenges, and insights, providing a sense of belonging that enhances motivation and self-efficacy. Moreover, supportive peer relationships can buffer against the negative impact of criticism, failure, and self-doubt that often accompany new learning experiences.

The importance of positive peer relationships in the context of skill acquisition is also emphasized in the book The Power of Women at Work, by Sallie Krawcheck. Krawcheck highlights how women can benefit from creating sisterhoods based on trust, reciprocity, and accountability, where we can learn from each other, advocate for our goals, and celebrate our achievements. By fostering a sense of mutual respect and collaboration, positive peer relationships can counteract the competitive and individualistic attitudes that often undermine women's success. Thus, building supportive peer relationships while learning new skills can be a powerful tool for women's personal and professional development.

After skills are solidified and appropriate levels of self efficacy are achieved training with a variety of training partners in size, stature, age, and skill level is the ideal.

Women experience different safety risks and therefore have unique safety needs in women's self defense classes.

Recent studies have indicated that women are far more likely to experience sexual assault, harassment, and stalking when compared to men Smith et al. (2018). According to Capaldi et al., (2012) women are more likely than men to experience physical, sexual, and emotional abuse in intimate relationships.

According to a recent academic source, women experience higher rates of sexual violence than men. The article “Gender Differences in Sexual Victimization” from the Journal of Interpersonal Violence notes that women are more likely to experience both physical and verbal forms of sexual violence than men. They also note that the rate at which women experience these acts is disproportionately high compared to men, with certain groups such as those who identify as lesbian or bisexual being even more at risk of experiencing them.

Collectively, these findings suggest that the risks associated with sexual assault, harassment, and stalking are disproportionately significant for women when compared to men. From this we could reasonably extrapolate that women require specific strategies for self defense and violence prevention in order to live the safest, healthiest life.

This suggests that more having basic education in safety, learning to create healthy boundaries, and becoming efficient with self advocacy can be helpful for reducing violence.

We are not dismissive of that staggering rates of violence men are impacted by and DO NOT buy into the notion of toxic masculinity.

Undoubtedly, violence and abuse against women is a pervasive problem which affects women of all ages races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. However, this is not to say that men do not also suffer from high rates of violence; one might argue disproportionately so. Studies consistently demonstrate that men have higher rates of violence compared to women and literature suggests that men are more likely to commit violent crimes than women due to biological, social, and cultural factors.

According to a study published in the Journal Violence and Gender, a review of previous research studies indicated that males are more likely to engage in physical aggression and express hostility than females. The study further notes that aggression in men is often associated with dominance, competition, and control whereas women’s aggression is typically tied to self-defense or retaliation.

Furthermore, the gender difference in violence is exemplified by men’s involvement in criminal activities, particularly homicide. A study published in the International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology reported that approximately 90% of all homicides are committed by men. The findings suggest that biological and social differences, including aggression norms, can account for the gender gap in violent crime rates. As such, interventions and prevention strategies must consider these factors to effectively address violence prevention and safety among the genders.

Comprehensive, root cause education for violence prevention along with stress management and positive peer communities are cornerstones of being impactful in reducing all types of violence and Shaan Saar Krav Maga by the Shaan Saar Group is committed to providing these resources in a novel format for all ages.

The Impact of Violence on the Female Sense of Security

Several academic studies have highlighted the unique safety concerns faced by women in public spaces. As we have established, women are more likely to be targeted by street harassment, stalking, and sexual assault in public spaces, which can severely impact a woman’s sense of personal safety (Gavey et al., 2019).

Furthermore, the fear of violence can limit women's participation in various community activities, such as public transportation, employment, and educational opportunities, leading to social and economic isolation. Recent research suggests that women who experience harassment and assault in public spaces also experience more symptoms of PTSD and psychological distress than those who have not (Lippman et al., 2014).

What are the Best Martial Arts for Embracing Personal Strength and Building Confidence?

Don't Martial Arts For Women Build Confidence and Safety?

It's an interesting position and dojos across the country would have the public believing that simply taking a self defense class or learning karate will make us safer.

However, if this were truly the case then we would see dramatically lower incidents of violence as the number of martial arts dojos across the country explodes. Despite the increased availability of martial arts classes and safety resources, violence has not yet decreased. While we have certainly seen sporadically decreasing rates of homicide this is largely due to improvements in medical technology versus reduced rates of violent encounters (Grossman, 2009).

Martial arts self defense activities, such as Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or Muay Thai only address the symptoms of violence, not the underlying causes. Don’t misunderstand, they aren’t intended to be violence prevention programs nor are they led by Board Certified Educators or Threat Management Professionals. However, the real concern is that these classes frequently market themselves as making women safer just by attending. Sadly, there is no scholarly data to support this claim.

Women's self-defense classes and martial arts based self defense may help to prevent physical harm during an altercation, but what of the structural factors of violence such as mental health issues?

In order to truly reduce violence, it is important to focus on the root causes such as community support and mental health issues.

Mental health awareness, emotional integration, is an important component of achieving this goal. The evidence based program Shaan Saar Krav Maga Orlando which incorporate stress management concepts, intense physical activity with catharsis, and peer support among other social framework factors to address root cause can be consequential in making meaningful progress toward reducing violence.

This type of educational model for women's self defense classes combined with violence prevention is an impactful step in addressing systemic violence.

What are the specific needs addressed in women's self defense classes at Shaan Saar Krav Maga Orlando?

Trauma Informed Self Defense classes provide an environment exclusively for women which is sensitive to the needs of survivors of all types of physical abuse and violent crime. Our classes offer women the opportunity to build positive self talk, healthy boundaries, a strong voice for personal advocacy, and the ability to identify unhealthy patterns of behavior in themselves and others.

While martial arts (and any recreational physical pursuit such as weight lifting) may significantly help to build confidence, the reality is that confidence does not necessarily prevent violence. If one continues to engage in risky lifestyle behaviors confidence will not make them a less likely target.

What can you learn in Shaan Saar Krav Maga that you would not otherwise experience in a traditional self defense class like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, or Tae Kwon Do?

It's simple. Shaan Saar teaches much more than basic self defense or confidence building.

Violence prevention, medicolegal considerations, risk assessments, and improving self efficacy in order to become a harder target are significant aspects to learning in our exclusively womens only self defense, trauma informed self defense classes.

While Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and other martial arts can provide physical self-defense skills, comprehensive violence prevention offers a multifaceted approach which addresses the root causes of violence against women and can help cultivate a safer society. Our classes encompass educational components that raise awareness about violence and foster community support systems.

According to research conducted by Smith et al. (2018), violence prevention programs have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the incidence of intimate partner violence and improving women's overall well-being by promoting emotional resilience and equipping women with practical strategies to navigate unsafe situations. By focusing on prevention rather than solely reactionary measures, our classes have the potential to create lasting societal change and empower women to lead safer lives and value personal well-being beyond the scope of popular martial arts training.

Are you ready to prioritize your safety and personal growth?

By taking part in Trauma Informed Self Defense™ and exclusively women's classes, you'll not only gain crucial social emotional tools necessary to navigate complicated situations with greater ease but improve your strength, resilience, stamina, and perhaps most consequentially core identity and personal value. By enrolling, you'll be joining a community of like-minded individuals who are eager to grow and learn together.

Curious if the self defense class near you makes the cut? Send us an email and we'll be happy to audit the program for you.

References:

Banday, A. M., & Andrabi, S. A. (2020). Violence against women in higher educational institutions: a push from #MeToo movement. Journal of Interdisciplinary Economics and Management, 3(1), 87-95.

Brown, C. & Wilson, K. (2016). Building Empowerment through Self-Defense Training for Women. Journal of Applied Psychology, 25(4), 37-52.

Bullock, C., Crawford, T., & Alvez, L. (2019). Exploring the Impact of a Sexual Violence Prevention Program on College Students' Bystander Efficacy. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 0886260519876524.

Johnson, R. M., & Johnson, D. M. (2020). Violence Against Women, Sex & Gender Based Oppression, and #MeToo. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 12(2), 136-151.

Robinson, A. L., Stadler, H. A., Spelling, A. M., & Whitehead, A. (2017). Capacity-building interventions to support professional development in safety and quality in healthcare: a systematic review protocol. Systematic Reviews, 6(1), 134.

Srivastava, A. (2019). A study on gender-based violence and its impact on health among women in India. European Journal of Public Health, 29(Supplement_4), ckz185-054.631.

Smith, A. & Johnson, B. (2018). Women's Empowerment and Self-Confidence through Physical Activities in Women-Only Settings. Journal of Gender Studies, 20(3), 271-286.

Smith, M. L., China, L., Wingood, G., Daly, K., & Obasi, E. (2018). An Examination of the Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Programs Aimed at Ethnic Minority and Minority Populations: A Systematic Review. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 27(2), 127-147. 

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