Should Karate Be Adapted For Women?

I have commented previously that karate is not just practiced with the intention of developing fighting skills. If you want to be a good fighter you will need many different skills and disciplines of which karate is only one. Most people who practice karate do so for the overall package of benefits to fitness, mind, self-discipline and also self-defense. Also, the aim when practicing is to develop effective technique, so that if you did have to defend yourself, what you've been practicing has a realistic chance of success. To that end, women are different to men. Primarily, they are weaker and smaller and because of this, much less likely to be effective in a fight against a man - even if they are more skilled. I'm not talking controlled sparring, I mean a real fight. Most women do not engage in bravado mock fights with other women, which comprises the majority of male on male petty violence. Outside of Hollywood, most women unfortunate enough to be involved in violence, are victims of attack and frequently by people they know. The method of assault is different from male victims and the pattern of injures sustained is also different. They are much more likely to be seriously injured and sexual motive is more common. Obviously, every method to predict and avoid potentially dangerous situations and personalities should be deployed. I change my behavior if I feel it is needed - is it fair? No. Does it make me safer? Yes. Since I'm too old to change the world, or rather the less pleasant people in it, I bend a little. Your choice.

Anyway, given the ugly truth, what is the point in me learning to punch hard to the abdomen? In reality, any man ready for a struggle is unlikely to be deterred by it, let alone injured. What is says is "ok, lets make this physical." So if I can generate a certain force I had better use it effectively and direct it at the eyes, ears, neck, groin or any other soft spot that will either hurt or stun for long enough for me to run.  Additionally, we sometimes practice getting out of holds or grips as part of self-defense. In reality, some of these will only work for you with people of a certain size or strength.

So when you practice a bit of self defense in your class ask your self "would this really work for me, a 5ft, 55kg woman, against a 6ft, 80kg man?" If the answer's "no" then ask your Sensei to adapt it for you so that it's worth practicing. If you have lots of women in your class, or always get put with the size-match opponent, ask to swap, it will change your perspective of how effective you can be.