Bullying is usually described as a repeated, physical, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more persons.
Bullying can take many forms but all can have a devastating effect on kids. It includes:
- Intimidating someone,
- Criticizing persistently
- Belittling and humiliation
- Excluding or isolating someone socially
- Spreading degrading rumours
- Intruding on a person’s privacy
- Being physically aggressive
- Pressure to behave in an inappropriate manner
Bullies have a massive impact on kids, on their school education, social and personal development and leave a long term effect. We believe that no other industry is in a better position to do something about bullying than the martial arts industry and Judo NSW wants to be an best practice actor to help kids against bullies – without violence.
Martial arts and especially Judo are a safeguard against bullies due to the nonviolent nature of techniques demonstrated by the gentlest Olympic sport.
Judo is the most widely practiced martial art in the world and is based on strong human values, respect and discipline.
We view our sport as a way to fight bullying and stay safe when physically assaulted – without striking techniques. This soft method is characterised by the indirect application of force, using opponent’s strength against him.
Bullies can’t exist without victims, and they don’t pick on just anyone, victims that are singled out generally lack assertiveness and radiate fear long before they ever encounter a bully.
Judo appears as the best way to help the kids to deal with bullies, by developing responsibility, strength, respect, citizenship and manners. Improving the self-confidence and self-esteem of the kids instead of learning of to fight. Doing a Anti-bullying judo program is not a way to become a bully but a process to teach and give to the kids the confidence to react quickly, smartly and protect themselves.
Most martial arts rely on striking opponents with violent techniques, whereas Judo has a defensive attitude without strikes or kicks. The goal of a great anti bullying program is to teach how to defuse confrontations and never to initiate aggression. We teach a sport with strong elements of self-defense but also prepare kids against verbal harassment by teaching self-confidence, direct eye contact, discipline and a confident posture that will deter bullies.
Bullying is a significant problem within our society – we cannot ignore it and have to fight all together.
More information on bullying can be found here