[i]Children learn to stand up for themselves
12/06/2005
NAGOYA–Children are learning to stand up for themselves–with a karate kick, if necessary–in new courses being offered at local schools here.
The program, run by mothers and residents from Konan and Komaki cities in Aichi Prefecture, teaches children how to defend themselves against bullies and other dangers. It also aims to instill young people with more self-confidence.
Misao Yokochi, the founder of Self Defense Communication Development, was first struck by the need for the program after delivering a lecture at a vocational school about being a female entrepreneur. Edit: What?!?
Yokochi runs an information and travel magazine editing company in Nagoya.
She learned that young people are often reluctant to express themselves to others. She heard of cases in which youths were so timid that when they wanted to quit their jobs, they got their parents to phone up and tell their bosses on their behalf.
The problem is widespread, she said, and needs to be nipped in the bud.
“It’s difficult to recover (communication skills) after growing up,” Yokochi said. “Education from early stages is necessary.”
She visited groups around the country and attended workshops, eventually working out a new curriculum for her program.
Self-defense training can protect people from all sorts of threats, such as bullying and kidnapping.
The group aims to teach students how to protect both their minds and their bodies when they are in danger or feel uncomfortable.
It also teaches them how to avoid giving into peer pressure.[/i]
Full article at
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200512060128.html
Right…their teachers seem to be really qualified.
