Karate Kids: Children and Martial Arts
perception of karate being a violent sport, the premiere dictate of this sport is nonviolence above all else.”
Martial arts in the movies may not offer a true indication of what the “sport” teaches children and adults as well. Allowing your child to receive martial arts training is not opening up a door to violence, it is opening a door to building a solid foundation of self-esteem and confidence. “Students learn that respect for others, as a priority, naturally leads to a respect for self,” says Roberson. “This wonderful philosophy is often at odds to what our young people learn here in the United States. We have become obsessed with the ‘me first’ mentality which often leads to emotionally unhealthy young people.”
There are various forms, types and styles of martial arts instruction available. In choosing a program for children, a parent
