Self-Defense
Ever had one of those nights where you’re walking down the street and everything is quiet. Thinking that everything is just fine, you get attacked by a random stranger who lounges at you with brutal strikes and punches. Shocked and not knowing what to do, the easy thing to do is to just take the hits over and over again. By then, you have given satisfaction to your attacker by succumbing to the violent circumstances given and surely enough; you have been not only robbed of whatever few valuables you possessed at the time, but also you’re sense of security. Self-defense is the countermeasure that includes the protection one’s property and the prevention of harm. It is the very essence of the actions portrayed by preventing been harmed in any way by either/or diminutive or cataclysmic proportions. Self-defense does not mean to fight, but rather the use of intelligence to do its sole purpose: to defend.
In history, martial arts have marked an evolution and adaptation of an individual’s attempts to protect both their honor and family. In today’s society, we live in a world where danger is found in every corner. Since the introduction of firearms, combat knives and even Tasers that can cause paralysis, evolution has yet again played a role in the art of protection.
For instance, when you are been pointed to your face with a gun, the smart thing to do is to not provoke your attacker but to comply so long as your well-being is not threaten. If his/her actions and unwise and choose to try and disarm the attacker, the end result could be catastrophic. With the control of their urge to scream, fight or flight, the victim has a higher chance of surviving the attack therefore increasing their safe return home. As times have changed however, certain events and behaviors have slightly altered and this doesn’t mean it all has. In ancient times, if one was physically threatened the immediate step would be to counter the attack. Today, if one is in a crisis such as this, tolerance won’t exactly serve much help to free the person from an attack. The next step would be the old school way: only use these techniques when absolutely necessary. As TeenHealth says, the real meaning of self-defense is the ability to outsmart the attacker and avoid confrontation. While the victim has absolutely no idea that the attacker too is merely scared, you also do not know if the attacker has taken any drugs to numb out the pain. The real key in self-defense is to use the attacker’s own strength to defeat him (Dowshen). “People who are threaten and fight back “in self-defense’ actually risk making a situation worse (Dowshen).” The best way to prevent injuries is to attempt to leave the scene at once. Easier said than done; that is the role of self-defense.
Although many people believe that self-defense is all about kicking and punching until the attacker is on the ground begin for mercy, it is about discipline and peace. “The practice of martial arts embeds a certain form of body habitus, a disposition of mind/body unity (Brown & Johnson). A necessary unity between the body and mind has to be established first to be able to learn how to properly defend one self. Through this bond, one can learn to remain calm during a difficult situation, dominate their instincts and adequately protect valuables, others or ideals without the need of violence. Just as well, one can defend their well-being without the fear of lacking the proper mechanics to fend off any incoming attacks.
Self-defense has seen a wide use in our modern Western culture, specifically in the 21st century. With the fast pace of growing crime, it has become a justified field of study and practice. “A woman who fights back gain an 86% chance of avoiding rape and incurs little chance of additional injury. Most injuries occur before the woman starts fighting back (Kleck & Sayles).” Even though anyone can throw punches in the air, the ability to control and time these well makes a relevant difference. The indulgence of crime is repulsive but if one is prepared, he has less to fear. “Students age 12 through 18 were victims of about 186,000 serious violent crimes in school, and about 476,000 away from school [since 1999] (Kleck & Sayles).
Individuals in their youth are often preys to violence and delinquents. These numbers are agitating and thus producing repercussions by the general population: ways of preventing these troublesome situations. Self-defense can be mastered. It not only aids in controlling one’s urges and ire, but also remaining calm and collected in a “sticky” situation. Self-defense is vital in avoiding harm by a stranger.

Work Sited
Brown, David and Alan Johnson. “The Social Practices of Self –Defense Martial Arts: Applications for Physical Education.” National Association for Physical Education in Higher Education 52 (2000): 246-259. Print.
“Concrete Jungle Self-Defense – Statistics.” Concrete Jungle Self-Defense. N.p.,n.d. Web. 1 May 2012. .
Downshen, Steven. “Self-Defense. “ KidsHealth – the Web’s most visited site around children’s health. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2012. .