“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” This well-known adage that used fishing as a paradigmatic task that enabled self- sufficiency is still very relevant to this day. It may also be applied to lessons outside of fighting the hunger that poverty creates.
Many parents struggle with children that have behavioral issues. There are many different causes for behavioral issues in children; ranging from at birth, developing over time from social or environmental factors, or even being the result of a tragedy in a child’s life. The most accepted and widely used solution for behavioral issues in children, regardless of severity or origin, is prescription medication.
But, what happens to a child’s behavior when they don’t receive their daily medication? The issues persist. Although medicine prescribed from a doctor is an immediate remedy, it is the equivalent of giving a man a fish to feed him for a day. Medicine does not teach kids how to overcome their aggression, defeat anxiety, or develop self-confidence. This is where Martial Arts comes into play.
Unlike traditional, recreational sports, Martial Arts teaches children how to develop life skills. Sports are a fantastic way to keep your child physically active, however they do not offer personal growth. Depending on the specific style and school, all Martial Arts schools will have something a little bit different to offer. A quality school will place a heavy emphasis on discipline, self-confidence, and goal-setting, just to name a few key skills. By introducing a child to a structured environment such as a dojo (Martial Arts school), they will assuredly begin to adopt an internal structure as well. Martial Arts isn’t just about the kicking and punching, it’s about gaining a more positive and healthy outlook on life. Children learn to give respect to others (especially parents/teachers), because Martial Arts gives them insight to know the difference between right and wrong.
Before you sign your child up for a sport, I encourage you to try out a Martial Arts school. Not only will your child stay physically active but overtime they will also learn critical life skills to help make them more successful and better equipped to tackle the road that’s ahead of them. True medicine is not a pill or a shot. What is easiest is not always what is best. Only through diligence and perseverance can a sustainable outcome be achieved. Feed your child for a lifetime, not just a day.