The Importance of Self-Defense: Rights, Responsibilities, and Education

Self-defense is a fundamental right and a basic skill that can save lives in dangerous situations. In this article, we will explore the importance of teaching self-defense skills to everyone, the inherent rights to life and liberty, and the critical role of education in shaping our attitudes towards self-protection.

Introduction

Self-defense should not be dismissed merely as a matter of personal preference or sport. Every individual has a right to life and liberty, which includes the right to protect oneself from harm. Freedom of speech does not mean one must actively use it, but it does imply the right to protect oneself when faced with danger. Whether it's hiding, fleeing, or fighting, these are our basic instincts when confronted with threats.

Instincts and Basic Training

Humans and many animals have three primary instincts when facing danger: hiding, fleeing, or fighting. Children are taught games like “hide and seek” or “tag,” which serve as training for the first two instincts. However, when it comes to fighting, society often views it negatively and criticizes any behavior associated with it. In my childhood, getting into fights with bullies often landed me in trouble. This sets a pattern that occurs throughout society, where hiding and fleeing are acceptable, but fighting is not. As a result, society encourages sports and martial arts as a more socially acceptable outlet for fighting instincts.

The Need for Self-Defense Education

The reality is that while games and sports like soccer, baseball, or even Tai Chi sharpen our hiding and fleeing skills, they do not adequately prepare us for real-life threatening scenarios. In these situations, our fighting skills would be much poorer. Therefore, it is essential to have self-defense programs that focus on honing fighting skills. Martial arts, self-defense training, and combat sports can be effective, but access to these programs is often limited. Only a small fraction of the population takes these classes, leaving the majority with poor self-defense skills for their entire lives.

The perception that fighting is negative or something to be avoided contributes to this issue. However, fighting is a skill, just like driving a car. While driving a car does not make someone a good driver by default, driving carefully can save lives. Similarly, the proper use of self-defense skills can save lives in dangerous situations.

Conclusion

Self-defense is a human right and a basic skill that everyone should have. While it is an individual choice whether to take self-defense classes, it is crucial to understand the importance of these skills. Education can play a significant role in promoting positive attitudes towards self-defense and ensuring that everyone has the basic skills to protect themselves. Whether through school programs or community initiatives, teaching self-defense skills can make a significant difference in personal safety and well-being.