Paradox!
Life is full of paradoxes. At one point in my teaching I mentioned paradoxes so often that my students started calling them paradoxes. Anyway, try Radar for your protection. How about hi we’re from the government, we’re here to help. You mean the same guys that will put me in jail if I don’t pay my taxes? Or “you are learning a potentially deadly fighting art to learn control”. Or even more so in that vein “the counselor said that karate (deadly fighting art) will teach my child self control cause he has problems with authority and won’t listen and often wants to fight with everyone”.
Yes those are paradoxes. Karate is a paradox. You are actually learning a potentially dangerous fighting art but I really don’t think too many people think that self control is the main reason or benefit for them being there. Self control is a bonus. Yes if you stay with it long enough you must learn to practice restraint. If you are in New York and act up you’ll hear from one of my former students, of course she’s in the NYPD. It’s like any other weapon, the more dangerous, the more careful you must be with it. With karate you are the weapon! I’ve heard many people say “karate’s nothing, I have a gun”. I simply ask, do you have it with you. Usually the answer is “no but I can get it”. Another question I ask is “do you shower with your gun”? Again the answer is usually “no are you crazy why”? I answer well I shower with my karate!
Karate is awesome for self control, self esteem, self defense, and many more flowery and wonderful things. The main thing that a person needs to succeed in karate, is a desire to learn karate. That desire can stem from wanting to get over shyness, to calm yourself, from a feeling of weakness or inadequacy. Those are reasons that will make you stay. Revenge doesn’t cut it. Wanting to beat people up won’t cut it. However, Mom says so, is a good enough reason, I think! Parents should make their children do some things that are good for them. That’s called parental guidance.
“Karate for your protection” is different than “radar for your protection”, though!
Paradoxical isn’t it!
Written by,
Perry Culver / 6th Degree Shotokan Black Belt
Chief Instructor at Culver Karate Club in Connellsville PA
this mom says so!!!
Good answer grasshopper. You have learned much!