| When looking at the increasing numbers of | | | | fire drills, women?s self-defense calls for |
| reports about violence against women, it is | | | | identifying potential danger spots, so, as |
| clear that women?s self-defense against men | | | | you go through your day, look for those |
| is becoming an important issue in today?s | | | | places where a person can easily intrude. |
| society. There are many products and | | | | |
| techniques designed for women?s self-defense | | | | Many strategies for women?s self-defense |
| against men, from mace guns to judo and | | | | against men include some kind of martial arts |
| assertiveness training. Unfortunately, these | | | | training. Although many critics complain that |
| things are becoming increasingly necessary, | | | | techniques learned in classes can not be |
| and it is essential to stay informed of the | | | | adapted well to the street, martial arts give |
| most effective strategies for women?s | | | | women strength and confidence to be able to |
| self-defense against men. | | | | ward off an attacker. |
| | | | |
| Since more and more women are working | | | | There are many varieties of martial arts to |
| overtime and at late hours, extra attention | | | | choose from, and it is a good idea to |
| should be given to women?s self-defense | | | | experiment with several classes before |
| against men. Dark parking lots are among the | | | | narrowing down your choice. Popular martial |
| most dangerous places, and it is good idea to | | | | arts courses for women?s self-defense against |
| walk into a parking lot with a special | | | | men include: |
| device, such as a small alarm, whistle or | | | | |
| light, or where it is legal, a mace gun or | | | | ? Tae Kwan Do |
| stun gun. The mace or stun guns should not be | | | | |
| shaped like actual guns, but should be | | | | ? Kenpo |
| disguised as cell phones, pens or key chains | | | | |
| which can be carried by hand without | | | | ? Judo |
| attracting undue attention. | | | | |
| | | | ? Hapkido |
| It is important to principle of women?s self | | | | |
| defense against men always to look straight | | | | ? Kung Fu |
| ahead and always to appear alert. Potential | | | | |
| attackers are always on the lookout for women | | | | ? Karate |
| who seem unaware of their surroundings, so | | | | |
| give an impression of confidence. | | | | Tae Kwan Do is a good choice for women?s |
| | | | self-defense against men, because it |
| Before opening your car door, always inspect | | | | emphasizes punches and kicks that can repel |
| the inside to ensure that no one is there. A | | | | attacks. Akido emphasizes throws and joint |
| portable flashlight can be useful for this | | | | locks, which are more aggressive techniques |
| inspection. Make sure your car door is always | | | | to deal with attackers. Kenpo and Karate were |
| locked, and, if you unlock your car door with | | | | developed through principles of aesthetics |
| a remote control, avoid locking and unlocking | | | | and spirituality, as well as a mean s of |
| the door too far in advance of your entry. | | | | self-defense. Kung Fu focuses on the |
| This will prevent someone from crawling into | | | | movements of five animals: the dragon, tiger, |
| your car. | | | | snake leopard and crane. Martial arts give |
| | | | the added benefit of physical fitness and |
| Women?s self-defense against men is not | | | | self-confidence to women?s self-defense |
| always focused on strangers, but, more often | | | | against men. |
| than not, an attacker is someone the woman | | | | |
| knows. Before making the attack, the person | | | | The most important principle to remember for |
| usually stalks the woman to find out her | | | | effective women?s self-defense against men is |
| habits and where she is the most vulnerable. | | | | confidence. If a woman looks and seems aware |
| | | | and confident, a potential attacker is less |
| It is therefore a good idea to change your | | | | likely to approach her, because he knows he |
| route frequently if you jog or walk for | | | | will be unlikely to succeed. In addition, if |
| exercise. Be on the lookout for people who | | | | she feels competent, she is far more likely |
| are watching your activities and make sure | | | | to defend herself well and to prevent an |
| that you are aware of potential dangers. Like | | | | attack. |