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"Back Off Buddy, This Is My Body, Not Yours": Empowering Girls Through Self-Defense
11 Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
Violence Against Women
|January 16, 2018
Summary
Feminist self-defense programs offer significant benefits for school-aged girls. These courses empower young women, enhancing their confidence and safety awareness across various age groups.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Education
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Limited research exists on self-defense programs for school-aged girls.
- College women's self-defense programs are increasingly recognized for their benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of feminist self-defense programs on school-aged girls in New Zealand.
- To assess benefits across different age groups and diverse backgrounds.
Main Methods:
- Large-scale evaluation using survey responses from girls.
- Qualitative data from interviews with teachers and school personnel.
Main Results:
- Positive benefits were observed for girls of all ages participating in the programs.
- Evidence supports the effectiveness of empowerment-focused self-defense training.
Conclusions:
- Feminist self-defense courses provide valuable positive outcomes for school-aged girls.
- Well-trained instructors with an empowerment focus are key to program success.