women in martial arts

[Aefibird]

Taken from another forum:

I know there are several ladies on this forum. I bet they are in the minority in their clubs. I have spent most of my MA career being the only female in the club.

How many regular ladies do you have training? Do you work spcifically to keep them turning up? do you think its a good idea to have ladies and men training together? What is the ladies point of view?

I'd be interested in your views.

I have to say, I've spent most of my MA career being the "token female" student. At my Wing Chun class I'm the only woman. At the old Aikido class I used to go to I was the only woman - and the only female student that they'd had for quite a long time.

It's only fairly recently that I've not been in the significant minority at karate. We're not quite at a 50/50 male/female split yet, but it's getting there. For a long while there was only me or only me and one other woman trained regularly at my club.

[AngelaG]

I don't think women should do martial arts. They should take up suitable pastimes like crochet.

[andym]

I've met a couple of women in the 'last month' that are way better than me at martial arts, eh....hangela...and sonja!

Woman in martial arts keeps men going....believe! ;D

[Mr. Precision]

andym said:

I've met a couple of women in the 'last month' that are way better than me at martial arts, eh....hangela...and sonja!

There are several women at both the clubs I train at. The problem is there's more than one type. With guys anyone of a similar size/build will pretty much have a go, you know what you're up against. Not so with the women. There's the kind of timid hang back and wave the hands around ones, there's the punch your teeth through the back of your head ones and then there's the ones who appear to be the timid hang back hand waving ones till you find yourself sitting on the floor with a bloody nose.

It might be worth splitting the sexes till an intermediate level where they've gained confidence and skill but I'd have though it fairly important for women to gain experience fighting against someone physically larger and stronger on a regular basis.

[random]

I always worry about physical contact, I used to say there is no sex in Karate, if some one has the same belt (perhaps the only use) then it gave one a measure or guide to how equal things should be, but as times have changed and accusations are so easy to make, I do or at least did worry about it.

I have met some really good karate-ka who, through no fault of their own, are women, good, strong with positive attitudes. ;D

How do you ladies (I use that term loosely) feel about being paired up with men who are generally taller, heavier and stronger (I generalise and so apologise).

Also, what makes you uncomfortable, not just physical…but what if anything, creeps you out, should new members be screened in some way, especially if it is a mixed class, age as well as sex, should we expect CRB checks, or are we just falling into the effects of the nanny state.

As for crochet…take up knitting, two weapons to use.

[AngelaG]

I generally work with guys who are bigger and stronger than me. It doesn't bother me, we are there to train and that's all I am thinking about. I don't train to defend myself against someone weaker than me - I could have dealt with that without MA training. I train to defend myself against the biggest people I can, and that way I know in a real situation I may be able to look after myself (with any luck). I trust the guys at my dojo, and know that if I DID ever feel uncomfortable with my partner I could change - no questions asked.

I don't think we as karateka have so much to worry about when you go and watch a BJJ lesson. Now they really DO have intimate drills.

[random]

Mr P I don’t think w should split up classes based on gender, and everyone should get used to fighting everyone, I often weigh a lot more 2 or 3 stones sometimes more, sometimes a lot more, than some of the adult men in my dojo and other places where I train.

What can we as big strong testosterone filled cavemen, do to encourage and develop those who are less physical, and in respect to this thread, the women in our club, and all this must be done without patronising or underestimating people.

There is obviously an element of trust involved…but what else?

[andym]

Speaking of weight!....I've 'been' with some women who were of the heavier persuation, even as a 1st Kyu they'd have killed me! lol

[Andy]

I think women have more issues to deal with than men, both in taking up and continuing in MA.
I've nothing but respect for those that do, but I don't treat them any differently, other than perhaps respecting their differing anatomy somewhat.
One I have the most respect for is probably Sharon Gill, of Bristol Lau Gar.

[Aefibird]

random said:

How do you ladies (I use that term loosely) feel about being paired up with men who are generally taller, heavier and stronger (I generalise and so apologise).

Well, personally, I don't give a monkey's about who my training partner is, so long as they're willing to train properly and seriously.

Some men (thankfully in the minority and no-one on here I would think) are very derogatory to female martial artists and see their strength or reach or height as an excuse to intimidate or overpower or just smack about their female partner as a way of "showing off" and "proving" how much more superior they are.

I once had a dan grade at a course I went on tell me that he didn't think women should become dan grades as they din't have the physical capacity or necessary attitude to earn that grade.

Anyway, as I'm short then about 90% of my training partners are taller than me and the majority of the adult males I pair up with are heavier and stronger than I am.

I see that as a good thing - If I get mugged them my attacker isn't going to show courtesy to me because I'm not as strong as he is or not as tall or whatever.

Training with opponents who are faster, bigger, heavier, stronger, taller, etc that I am can only help to improve my karate.

However, that's not always the case with other women martial artists.

Some are still very girly-girly and hate to be paired up with blokes as they think that they're gonna get a pasting as men are stronger than they are.


(edited for typo's)

[AngelaG]

I hate really girly girls in MA. Sorry if this sounds harsh but I think they give us a bad name! Especially ones that will cry to gain a point or will make a huge fuss who they partner up with. Half the time these people just want to be the centre of attention...

Going to be controversial now though, I see more and more young lads going the same way these days though. Young teenagers seem to be very soft, in my opinion.

[Aefibird]

Yeah, I just want to say to girly-girls in martial arts to go join an aerobics class or knitting or flower arranging, as they're obviously not suited to martial arts.

Why bother to do martial arts if you don't want contact or are prepared to take a few knocks now and then?

If all that girly-girls want to do is get fit then they'd be better off joining a gym or an aerobics class.

[random]

Ladies calm down; it’s only a forum. ;D

Have you also noticed how cocky and mouthy some of these kids are, right up to the point of stopping a punch with what they think is a block.

I think a girly-girly karate-ka should become a generic term for anyone that fits the above description, whatever his or her age and gender.

[jack]

I'm glad somebody mentioned girly girls. The club I train at has several of these and I hate to spar with them, they just stand like lemons. They leave themselves open to attack big time and they do not respond with/to anything, and they are black belts. I have found over the years that this is generally the case until recently. I occasionally train with a different association, I was paired up with a 5 foot 20 something black belt. She was far far sharper than me, far more technical and aggresive than me (I am pretty aggresive) she would knock any of my club around the dojo, including the big guys.

[jack]

I hasten to add that the girlie girls in my club do not take their karate seriously. Obviously the lady members on this forum do.