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Written by an eighth grader, this article appeared in a local
junior high school newsletter:
"Instructor Says Don't Be Complacent About Defense"
For 10 days in the balcony, the 8th grade girls have reported
sightings of a man clad in bulky black pads. Some even claimed to have
been attacked! Finally, authorities figured it out; it was the
instructor of the 8th grade girls' self-defense class!
When asked how self defense fits into the P.E. curriculum, the
teacher answered, "The women in the physical education faculty decided
8 years ago it was time to introduce a basic street self-defense class
to the 8th grade girls as they become older and more independent. The
goal was awareness and prevention."
Instructor Jim Andrews is very qualified to teach self defense. He
collaborated in designing the class. He has been in the martial arts
for 35 years, and doing similar classes for over 7 years. He has
taught at Lake Zurich Family Martial Arts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts,
corporations, police stations, and middle schools like this one.
The P. E. teacher said, "The class was a collaborative effort
between the staff and Mr. Andrews. Our goal was awareness, prevention,
and options as to what to do if the young ladies ever fall into a
situation where they are attacked."
Most people believe that an attack won't happen to them, but the
teacher said, "Statistics are alarmingly high in this area, and we
felt it necessary to arm the girls in very basic street self defense."
At this time, there is not a boys' self-defense class available
because statistics show more young women than men being attacked.
According to Mr. Andrews, the best self-defense technique is
prevention, or being alert and observant. Another is having a plan of
action.
Mr. Andrews said, "Don't become complacent. If you feel it cannot
happen to you, then it will. Always try to add to your self-defense
knowledge."
An eighth-grade girl said she could see using what she learned in
this course if she was even in a situation where she needed to defend
herself. She could also share what she learned with a female family
member.
She liked being able to practice an attack, but like many of the
girls in the class she found herself feeling squeamish about sticking
fingers in eyes and biting hands.
All 8th grade girls were invited to the class with parental
permission.
Mr. Andrews said that the best part about being a self-defense
teacher is "when you see your students becoming empowered, feeling
good about themselves and saving lives."
He continued, "The most difficult part of being a self-defense
instructor is meeting people who don't care about life, their safety
and someone getting hurt."
His final advice is, "Enjoy your life, stay focused, follow your
passions, stay safe and be helpful to your friends."
While it is funny to think about eighth grade girls in bulky suits
and funny helmets talking about biting, gouging out eyes, and
generally defending themselves, the alarming fact is that according to
the American Medical Association, one in three women will be a victim
of a sexual assault in their lifetime, so self defense in the 8th
grade girls' P.E. class is no laughing matter.
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