Self Defense Classes Increasingly Popular on College Campuses

With the apparent increase of violent crimes on college campuses, many schools are taking a proactive approach and providing self defense classes. Some of these classes are offered for college credit, others focus on women’s self defense.

Incorporating self defense skills and life lessons to promote awareness, the classes have been very popular. While geared more towards the needs of young women who might need to defend themselves in an unsavory situation, the classes still attract many young men as well, even more so at urban schools.

Observing Drunken Behavior
Alcohol plays a large part in many violent situations on college campuses. Rather than preaching about the legality of under age drinking, these classes take the bull by the horns and teach students to evaluate their danger in each situation.

One course assigns students to watch their classmate’s behavior while under the influence and assess patterns that may lead to trouble. Attendees found a lot to consider when watching drunken antics without participating.

Unexpected Attacks
Classes also learn how to deal with the unexpected in an attack. At one school, for the final, students experience a simulation that is designed to let them use their new skills.

Sent to walk around a specified area carrying Silly String as a replacement for pepper spray, the students undergo a simulated attack. Successfully defending against an attack provides the participants with confidence in their ability to protect themselves in real situations.

More Than Self Confidence
The self defense classes don’t only teach combative strategies. Learning how to analyze social situations, a residence or a section of town is all part of the curriculum. Recognizing how to boost personal safety in all situations is the real goal.

As students learn, there is more to self defense than appearing confident. Having the skills to back up the attitude is just as important, if faced with an actual encounter.