She’ll Get to Socialize with Her Peers – Girls and ….. Boys
Thoughts from the “KARATE GUY”
Ok, if you have kept up with these articles you know I’m a very proud Poppa to 2 fantastic girls. Two girls that with their mother dominate the house and make it fun for my son and I. LOL
In this house of ladies there is no shortage of social skills between the girls and their peers at school. My oldest spent most of her life in and on dance team, did a stint in the karate school, and competed at a high level in both. She has never had an issue with being social with the girls within her age level. My youngest….. she is a complete different story.
My youngest has spent her entire life on the mat. She learned to walk on them. She was at the karate school and around kids and adults of all ages her whole life. She has learned to work with, communicate, and deal with kids her age and a lot older than her. She has also had the opportunity to deal with the attitude, ego, and just stubbornness of us boys. Yes I said it and you moms know exactly what I mean.
The whole concept of boys are better doesnt exist to her. Even when one says she is “Just a girl” she is the example of “girl power” I contribute a lot of that “I got this” or “I can do it to” attitude from martial arts. She has trained shoulder to shoulder with boys, learned to be their partner as well as respect them as an opponent. She has learned that girls CAN keep up with the boys….. and she let’s them know that. So as much as us daddy’s hate to see our little girls hanging out with those boys, it’s a comfort knowing that they know how to interact with them.
In part 3 of this 6 part series – She’ll Get to Socialize with Her Peers – Girls and ….. Boys
The article by Century Martial Arts:
Some studies, set in academic schools, have shown that coed interaction helps both girls and boys build valuable socialization skills. However, the same study also realized that by the time children reach grade-school age, they start to divide themselves: they sit with their own gender at lunch; they play in “girls only” or “boys only” groups on the playground; most of their friends are the same gender as them. Therefore, many girls miss out on the chance to socialize with boys, and vice-versa.
Most youth sports are not coed; however, martial arts classes do not divide participants by gender. It is true that martial arts is still a slightly male-dominated activity. However, more and more girls and women are joining. Your daughter will benefit from interacting with boys in an environment where mutual respect is the (enforced) norm. And, hey, just about half of the population is male – your daughter might as well learn how to interact with that half sooner rather than later!
Thanks to Century Martial Arts for this amazing content.
Charles Ruth is a husband, father of three, and the owner and Master Instructor of Fusion Martial Arts in Dandridge, Tennessee. His primary focus is to help today’s youth become inspired to live their best life through martial arts.
The Karate Guy 