Self defense could bring some grave consequences if not taught correctly.

Here are some scenarios that could go wrong:

It could lull children into a false sense of security. While self-defense does teach children how to defend themselves, some children might overestimate their own strength and get themselves into dangerous situations.

For example, a child could think nothing of walking through a seedy neighborhood just because he knows a bit of karate. A child could become friends with a manipulative stranger just because the stranger doesn’t exhibit any of the characteristics the child was taught to beware of. It could be dangerous to let children believe that they’re untouchable just because they know a few self-defense moves and techniques.

It could teach children to be violent with other children. The defensive moves a child learns in her martial arts class could easily turn into offensive moves. Some kids may take advantage of what they just learned to hit other kids just for fun. Be careful who teaches your child learns self defense and how.

It could teach children to be afraid of everything. You know the saying: ignorance is bliss. While it’s great for children to be realistic about the dangers out there, we don’t want to drill “stranger danger” so far into kids that they’re terrified to talk to anyone or even go out in public. Again, the quality of instruction is paramount here and should instill confidence in your kid, not fear.

However, teaching self defense properly could steer children away from the above problems.