Ronin5 Martial Arts Blog

3 Responses to “ESPN’s Outside the Line Video: Is MMA too violent for children to participate?”

1. 1 Dan B
   July 24, 2008 at 11:26 am

   There are definitely aspects of MMA and other forms of arts that are useful such as discipline, respect, and athleticism. The thought, however, of pre-teens (with minimal developmental and decision making skills) in physical combat is horrific. I’m merely talking about pre-teens and younger teens who simply cannot comprehend what they are doing. If adults or even mature young adults choose to participate then that is a much different story.

   Parents simply must do a better job in evaluating the activities for their kids and the lessons (either explicit or implicit) that they are being taught.

2. 2 Ed Sanjurjo
   July 27, 2008 at 6:03 am

   Michael Vick is in jail for fighting dogs. Isn’t putting kids up to this similar? The parents should be put in jail just like Vick is doing time. This is a disgrace - the kids should have some kind of head gear for this.

3. 3 Brandy R. Bedford
   August 10, 2008 at 7:49 am

   This is disgusting. I wrote a piece on this…I wonder if people understand the hypocrisy in our own country.

   A man will go to jail for fighting dogs put parents are allowed to fight their kids and without gear?

   How can he be stripped of his entire life but these people are allowed to keep their children, and fight them?!?!?! What else are they teaching these kids?

   I saw the videos. That is child abuse. When your child hurts another child, you are responsible. Period. I do not understand how these parents can even sit and watch their children in these situations.

   As a parent, aren’t you supposed to protect your children? If someone is hurting your child, isn’t it your natural reaction to go and ensure your child’s safety?

   These are not normal parents. If they felt these natural tendencies and acted on them, these children would be better off. Some mothers have felt them, but apparently do not care about their children enough to protect them from it? Because their father’s want them to do it?

   Both are just as guilty…encouraging and condoning…this should be stopped.