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Debate Info

14
15
True False
Debate Score:29
Arguments:20
Total Votes:30
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 True (9)
 
 False (11)

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KingOfPopForever(6910) pic



Self defense classes should be compulsory for everybody.

True

Side Score: 14
VS.

False

Side Score: 15
2 points

It would be nice if the compulsory and useless gym classes most american students have to take could be gymnastic, MMA, or parkour classes instead. All three result in a mirada of skills, self-desclipline, physical health, etc far more so than most gym classes the country over.

Also knowing how to control your body to come out on top in a fight or jump off of 2 or 3 story buildings without harm might come in use down the road.

Side: True

Self defense classes should be required and taught at very young age. As society grows and your neighbors become strangers the risk of kidnapping, sexual assaults, murder also grows. Self defense taught to an eight year old would be on avoidance rather then the physical. One can learn how to avoid situations that could result in injury or death by being street smart.

While going to college I worked as a maintenance man on low income housing in a predominantly black neighborhood. Being a white guy, I stood out like a sore thumb. One day, I had a bit of a problem. The car I worked out of was surrounded by a dozen or so black guys. They all were leaning against the car with their arms crossed. I walked up to them and made some small talk. They responded with some as well. In a few minutes they walked away. If had told them to move, I would have been gutted like a fish.

About ten years later, I had a kid pull a knife on me. The kid was 16 or so. I had just walked across a parking lot, unlocked the door, sat down and rolled the window down when he appeared. He showed me a knife and told me to give him my wallet. I was in a pickup truck that sat high enough that he couldn't see much of me. I looked at him and said, "That knife isn't much of threat to me, when I have a pistol pointed at you." He dropped the knife and ran. I never had any pistol pointed at him, there wasn't even one in the truck.

Mandatory should be what to look out for and what to do if your in a situation. How you proceed beyond this, should be up to you.

Side: True
Bohemian(3860) Disputed
2 points

But there is a difference between being street-wise, and knowing self-defense. In neither of those situations did you have to use force.

Side: False
Thewayitis(4071) Disputed
1 point

I find it very hard to restrain myself from wanting to choking the living shit out of you for being so simple minded. It is self defense if one defends one's self. How one does this make no difference, whether it is by words or actions.

No where in the description does it say anything about boxing, martial arts or even using force, just self defense.

Side: True
Freed0m(95) Disputed
1 point

Making an argument that kids should be taught these "street smarts" in school is a completely different argument then self defense classes should be compulsory. Either way I feel like, as a citizen of America, that I have the freedom to choose for myself.

Side: False
3 points

First, I want to say that I am a Black Belt and think everyone can benefit from some form of Martial Arts.

But, what ever happened to personal choice??? Don't I have the right to choose if I want to be fat, lazy, and incapable of defending myself? And why stop there? Lets make rock climbing, basket weaving, and stamp collecting compulsory too!

It is my life, I'll make that choice for myself.

Side: False
casper3912(1581) Disputed
2 points

Compulsory gym classes are already in place, for high-school students and below. If they are kept compulsory, would you rather the current style of gym to continue or for it to at least incorporate self-defense?

Side: True
2 points

If self-defense classes were mandatory for everybody, this would include the thugs and bullies for which these classes are training us to defend ourselves against. We'd be no better off than we are now.

Side: False
casper3912(1581) Disputed
1 point

Defense is a different art-form than attack.

Teaching everyone defense, would make effective attacking harder all around; since teaching defensive methods wouldn't necessarily improve ones ability to attack(you would also have to be taught a counter to a defensive method, or teach it to yourself).

For example: Teaching how to block a punch, doesn't teach how to throw one.

Side: True
1 point

This gives children the impression that they need to defend themselves and therefore there must be an enemy.

Side: False
casper3912(1581) Disputed
1 point

Teaching defense may or may not give the impression of the need for defense. If it does, it does not necessarily imply there is a constant enemy out there somewhere to fear. Children understand that any random person may at times behave violently if provoked or given the correct incentive, without creating an enemy of themselves in the long term; for example, Brothers will often times fight over toys in the afternoon, and cuddle up next to each other with their bruises displayed at night. It could just imply that the world is one of various incentives, and if you wish to not be assaulted in certain situations then you should be able to provide an incentive such that it is unlikely to happen. Mandatory defense classes could create a greater incentive to not be hostile, and thus generate a more peaceful environment, where a brother thinks twice before stealing a toy; among other things.

Side: True
1 point

If everyone learned martial arts, everyone would be able to use martial arts.

Side: False
casper3912(1581) Disputed
2 points

Defense is a different art-form than attack.

Teaching everyone defense, would make effective attacking harder all around; since teaching defensive methods wouldn't necessarily improve ones ability to attack(you would also have to be taught a counter to a defensive method, or teach it to yourself).

For example: Teaching how to block a punch, doesn't teach how to throw one.

Side: True
1 point

Last I checked, this is America, where you have the freedom to make your own choices about your lifestyle.

Side: False
casper3912(1581) Disputed
2 points

Compulsory gym classes are already in place, for high-school students and below. If they are kept compulsory, would you rather the current style of gym to continue or for it to at least incorporate self-defense?

Side: True
Freed0m(95) Disputed
1 point

Although I don't believe these compulsory gym classes should exist, I defer, these classes could, and maybe should be incorporated with self defense. But I don't believe that such a thing would be possible, many, many parents would be adverse to their children receiving training in violence. No matter how irrational their belief would be.

Side: False
1 point

No, they shouldn't. Yes, the world is becoming a scary place, but we can't stop that.

It should be a personal choice, that refelcts how a person feels about their safety. And, if physically they cannot do it, then why push them?

Side: False
casper3912(1581) Disputed
2 points

Compulsory gym classes are already in place, for high-school students and below. If they are kept compulsory, would you rather the current style of gym to continue or for it to at least incorporate self-defense?

If they physically can not raise their elbow to their head(a common block), then either they have some disability or are very unhealthy. If they are so unhealthy they are significantly contributing to insurance costs, hospital charges, negative stereotypes of Americans, and the like. Pushing students to become a little more healthy, or else they fail a gym class may be a partial solution to raising prices, negative opinions of Americans(which affects government policy the world over), etc.

Side: True

Those types of classes should not be compulsory. If someone wants to take them, he or she has to pay for such classes.

Side: False