I recently had a discussion with friends about obliging kids resolve security threats. One argument is that kids should be taught how to use weaponry to thwart home intrusion. I was horrified with this suggestion of course. I remember Marc "Animal" MacYoung's opinion on this. The effect of violence on the affected parties is something one should consider more deeply especially its consequences. Violence leaves behind mental trauma that remains with you for the rest of your life.
I remember an uncle who was an Eskrimador who had several death fights and survived them all. Common myth would say he would have been a hardened fellow emotionally. He would appear to be so. Stoic in the midst of fights. Yet I personally know that on unguarded moments he would wake up abruptly from having recurring nightmares. He would wake up with sweat all over feeling himself if his wounds were real. For the rest of his life he battled his inner demons. I have met others who would feel uncomfortable if he can not relieve the "action". This is what we call Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome or in local parlance "war-shock". Having inflicted mortal damage to another human being scars you deeply than you'll ever know.
This is the reason we call actual combat "point-of-no-return" because once you have involved yourself in it there is no turning back. You can not simply wipe the slate clean. You are marked for life. You can recognize this in the eyes of those who had "action". I remember a good friend of mine who was somehow changed after "doing" it. No longer did I see the innocence and the joie de vivre in his face.
Going back to the suggestion of involving kids, think of the million reasons we oppose child soldiers. For the same reasons I oppose kids having to use guns on fellow human beings. The psychological effect is too devastating for their young minds.
This is the reason we call actual combat "point-of-no-return" because once you have involved yourself in it there is no turning back. You can not simply wipe the slate clean. You are marked for life. You can recognize this in the eyes of those who had "action". I remember a good friend of mine who was somehow changed after "doing" it. No longer did I see the innocence and the joie de vivre in his face.
Going back to the suggestion of involving kids, think of the million reasons we oppose child soldiers. For the same reasons I oppose kids having to use guns on fellow human beings. The psychological effect is too devastating for their young minds.
2 comments:
consider this: we have trained our body and mind for decades as a martial artist not to be a warrior ourselves.we gain/accumulated this "discipline" to be the MAN of our own. we do understand that fighting does not resolve anything but nightmares in the future but being in a situation "the point-of-no-return" we must not be a mere victim but a real opponent.if we do consider this parameter as a martial artists, why not give a time to "share" the discipline with our love ones. gaining the discipline at an early age will broaden their horizons with security and defense. able to secure the home for a possible intrussion(secure locks), evade, escape, elude, if time is to their side, but be a real and formidable opponent when faced in the wall. consumed with the pride and honour intact- i can live with this.
Yes indeed, I would agree to your opinion from a particular perspective. I myself would like my kids to take up the tradition if they choose to. In fact, we sometimes get melancholy over the fact that they may choose other paths. But nevertheless we encourage them to be their own man and seek their own fulfillment.
However, I would like to note that certain levels of security and safety systems would be more appropriate than others in relation to age, size, mental and physical attributes. Please remember that when we taught kids at Don Bosco we only taught them what would be effective for their stage of maturity. I would not consider teaching a 5 year old Dim Mak.
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