Self – defense is defined as the right to prevent suffering force or violence through the

use of a sufficient level of counteracting force or violence. This definition is simple enough

on its face, but it raises many questions when applied to actual situations (Reuters, 2019).

Self-defense (self-defence in some varieties of English) is a countermeasure that involves

defending the health and well-being of oneself from harm. The use of the right of self-

defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many

jurisdictions (Rainn, 2019). Would you be able to defend yourself and your loved ones if

someone were to physically attack you? It’s a question most of us don’t want to consider, but

violence is, unfortunately, a fact of life. Thankfully, regardless of strength, size, or previous

training, anyone can learn several effective self-defense techniques. If violence is

unavoidable, however, to really defend yourself, you’ll want to know ahead of time how to

fight back effectively—it’s possible even against someone bigger or stronger than you. Basic

Self-Defense Moves Anyone Can Do (and Everyone Should Know), Pinola, (2019)

The main objective of women's self-defense training is to strengthen women's ability to

defend themselves against potential attacks. Nevertheless, the implications of self-defense

training for women extend far beyond this goal, including physical, emotional and behavioral

impacts. Self-Defense is a topic that many young women should take into consideration

when going to college and when they are on their own (Elsevier B.V.,2006).

Seniors who go to college have very little information to defend themselves in a situation

where their lives are on the line. That's why young teens should either take a self-defense

course at school or in their local community, so when they go to college, and in the real

world, they're ready to back up for safety (Brian, A. 2004).

 Awareness plays a huge role in why so many young people between the ages of 18 and

24 were abused or coerced into sexual intercourse. (Scott Berkowitz, S.B., 2009). Martial arts

sessions included traditional techniques and forms taught in an environment emphasizing

respect and self-control (Lakes, 2013).

This is very useful because it helps young, independent women who are just graduating

high school and are going to college as a student to learn and use these strategies to their

benefit whenever they are approached by a potential attacker or someone who just wants

something out of them because they have young, independent women and they don't know

who's around them.

These classes help with speed, agility, power, strength, protection, and prevention from

not only an assault but it teaches you how to not only be motivated but brave enough to

know that even though you’re young independent women, you will never be scared to

defend yourself against a male who is much stronger and quicker than you.

The Importance and self-defense techniques for young women not only help me learn

about how women can protect their selves, but it gives many different colleges a perspective

to incorporate a way to include this as a class and a course before graduation. This is why

self-defense is taught, and is a big help to whoever is trying to learn the proper technique to

preventing a possible attack from happening. Always being aware of your surrounding is a

main key point and factor to how attacks and assaults happen, which is why you should

always be on a high alert where ever and whenever you’re around a place you haven’t been

around much or a place where you know you can be leading yourself to an attack. Ways to

defending yourself is always important when it comes to you and your life being on the line,

because if you never had to proper knowledge of at least knowing some prevention
techniques and attacks then you wouldn’t be able to survive in a world where violent crimes

and Rape crimes happen on a daily. In reality all that’s doing is leading you to death. By

being an older individual you learn more from a different perspective, because when you’re

in the real world there are countless ways to death where self-defense is a main contribution

to why death occurs. Not many people know how death feels but when having to face the

fact that there life is on the verge then self-defense will be a huge help to them from

preventing that specific attack from happening. Which is why self-defense should not only

be taught to adults but to anyone who is willing to learn what it is and the values that come

out of learning it.

There remains resistance to feminist self-defense and resistance training programming

for women, despite (a) documented effectiveness of rape resistance strategies in avoiding

rape, (b) consistently high rates of sexual victimization on college campuses, and (c) limited

evidence of lasting change in sexual assault perpetration reduction within existing men’s

prevention programs. The current article seeks to discuss (1) the rationale for feminist self-

defense and resistance training for women, (2) key components of feminist self-defense and

resistance training, (3) barriers to its implementation, (4) outcomes of self-defense and

resistance training programming, and (5) recommendations for future work (Christina M.

Dardis, 2014).

The effectiveness of self-defense training for college women. Advocates of self-defense

training believe these courses will not only provide women with the physical survival

techniques necessary to repel attacks effectively, but that this kind of training will also help

to prevent future violence by developing traits such as assertiveness and confidence in

individuals. There is evidence that women who convey such characteristics are less likely to

be victimized (Cummings, 2010).

research suggests that through their involvement in the martial arts, women develop

physical strength, which leads to individual physical empowerment. Furthermore, the

women note their involvement in the martial arts increases their confidence to defend

themselves and challenge their gendered embodiment. However, despite acquiring physical

strength that challenges their previous forms of gendered embodiment, their experiences

remain predominantly at the level of individual empowerment. Thus, the women do not

problematise normative views of gendered embodiment which position women as weak and

men as strong. Nor do the women in this study question the pressure on females’ bodies to

be toned and feminine. Drawing predominantly on physical feminism, we question and

problematise the concepts of women’s empowerment and gendered embodiment through

women’s experiences of the martial arts (Fortune, 2012).

Some feminist theorists have argued that emphasizing women's self-defense mistakenly

emphasizes women's behavior and choices rather than male aggression as a cause of sexual

violence. I argue here that such critiques of self-defense are misguided, and do not

sufficiently take into account the ways in which feminist self-defense courses can constitute

embodied transformations of the meanings of femininity and rape. While certainly not

sufficient to counter a rape culture by themselves, self-defense courses should remain a

crucial element in feminist anti-rape activism (Cahill, 2009).

Personal Safety Education is a key recommendation of numerous national experts in

violence prevention, public health, sexual violence, criminology, and trauma studies.
 Self-defense programs may increase assertiveness, perceived control, self-efficacy, risk

avoidance behaviors, confidence, and self-esteem, and may also lower anxiety and fear. Self-

defense training has many other positive effects on women’s lives—effects that themselves

may reduce women’s risk of assault (Brecklin, 2008; Hollander, 2004). Research on effective

resistance to sexual assault, showing that self-defense is a well-established protective factor

in a public health model of sexual assault prevention. The article goes on to show, through

an examination of campus rape prevention efforts framed as “primary prevention,” that self-

defense is routinely excluded. This creates a hidden curriculum that preserves a gender status

quo even while it strives for change (Martha, 2014).

According to the study from the University of Oregon found that women who

participated in a self-defense class felt they:

• had better safety strategies in place

• were more equipped to deal with strangers, and people they know, in the context of

potential assault or abuse

• had more positive feelings about their bodies

• had increased self-confidence

As a general rule, self-defense only justifies the use of force when it is used in response

to an immediate threat. The threat can be verbal, as long as it puts the intended victim in an

immediate fear of physical harm. Offensive words without an accompanying threat of

immediate physical harm, however, do not justify the use of force in self-defense (Reuters,

2019).
 Children. Self-defense courses are excellent for children. These courses teach children

discipline, offer a fun activity, and help teach them confidence. Children who take self-

defense courses are better aware of their surroundings and are trained in how to defend

themselves against attackers, both adults and children their own age. Not only do these

classes help educate children on the dangers of predators but they also aid children in dealing

with common bully situations without becoming bullies themselves. Women. Women and

young girls can benefit from self-defense courses for a number of reasons. It improves

confidence but it also helps them to level the playing field against an attacker who may be

much larger than they are. These courses are excellent preparation for girls going off to

college for the first time or women of any age. They’re also advantageous for any woman

who would like a physical, hands on work out.

Men. Men can, of course, benefit from self-defense courses for all of the same reasons as

women. Many men also find that the training regimen compliments any other athletic

activity they participate in and is a great well-rounded work out.

Older Citizens. Age is not a determining factor as far as self-defense. Older citizens can

take classes and learn new techniques and these classes will often help improve their health

(Pure performance,2019).